#games4ed discussions cover ways in which gaming can be used in education. Games mirror the way the human mind was designed to learn. They motivate players to take risks and actions, persevere through failures, set and achieve increasingly difficult goals, and devote attention, time, and effort to acquiring knowledge and skills. All this while the game is tracking the player’s actions and assessing the player’s achievements and skills. Isn’t this what we want from education?
It's amazing how tiring PT conferences are compared to normal teaching days. But a good week here! Catching my breath between coaching seasons of drama and speech :) #games4ed
A1: I am still a pre-service teacher so I have not any experiences in teaching students coding! I have a little bit of experience in basic coding through classes I have taken. #games4ed
A1 - teaching, tutoring and TA-ing for undergrad comp sci classes during grad school. Loved watching first years excitement when it "clicked." #games4ed
That's awesome that you at least have that background. Do most pre-service teachers have a little knowledge in coding or is it more due to your content classes? #games4ed
I hadn't heard of #codemoji until just today! Looks very cool. Something I'd also introduce to my own kids at home. Here's a link everyone! https://t.co/4fa8cDdtyD#games4ed
A1 Dabble, but not proficient with any: Java as #FRC mentor, a simple Android app for class, JavaScript, HTML. Like giving Ss simple @SpheroEdu coding challenges #games4ed
A2 - not in a classroom... but I'm interested in watching Ts move away from trying to build games and/or programming robots. Games are not the easiest starter programming tasks (lots of complex logic) and most robots are very limited in what they can do. #games4ed
A2: I am honestly not familiar with many coding activities. I would love to hear some advice on how to incorporate coding into my future English classroom. #games4ed
A2: I do not teach any in my class currently but I am looking forward to being able to! I enjoyed doing the hour of code with my class, and I think that it could be a cool tool to use! #games4ed
Hey Everyone. I got on to twitter at 7:57 and then forgot why I was here so now I'm late :) Steve from NJ - love chatting about #coding#hourofcode#csedweek#games4ed
A2: I'd like to do more. I offer it as a semester-end project (we do them last week or two of semester...) Some do a bit of it with Twine app #games4ed
You can, they start with basic skills, but also have a more advanced side of things - I can add you as a Ss and you can check it out if you like! #games4ed
I'd love to see coding used more as an assist, than the goal.
For Example:
Goal - analyze historical data to see trends
Coding can assist with processing all the data.
#games4ed
A2: Since I am planning to become an elementary education teacher, I would use the hour of code activities and games in my classroom. The students have figure out different patterns for the games to make certain characters do different things. #games4ed
I just got half a dozen kids started on @twinethreads today...so exciting to watch them muddle through and experiment and then figure it out! #games4ed
In reply to
@mr_isaacs, @codeorg, @Codecademy, @CodeCombat, @codesparkapp, @twinethreads, @YoYoGames, @twinethreads
I find we look at coding as the "end" goal. "Let's code an app." But, for the vast majority if Ss, would be more beneficial to see coding as a helper tool "We can code a database to keep track of all customer requests." #games4ed
A3: I feel like all students should code because it helps them prepared to work in a 21st century environment and it makes them more marketable. It also exposes them to new fields of study that they can integrate to their other subjects. #games4ed
A3: Students should code because it gives them background knowledge that could possibly give them a lead in higher garde levels! Plus, its just a cool thing to know how to do! #games4ed
A3 - I think this is the wrong question to ask. I don't think all Ss need to code. But all Ss will benefit from learning logic and how to break down tasks as required for coding. Breaking a coding problem into simple steps == breaking down an essay by paragraph #games4ed
A3: Coding does benefit all students. I like it for the problem solving and creative thinking. There is one side that says learn the code so you can make it work, and the other says solve the problem, think creativily and code while doing it #games4ed
You bring up a really important point. To so many, learning just to learn it isn't enough for the buy-in. I think this is what holds me back from doing m ore coding #games4ed
A3: The skills required to "code" are developmental and integral to their future success in an evolving world...but we must make it meaningful for them, not just fun. #games4ed
A3: The beauty of the #hourofcode and @CSEdweek is that the mission is to expose all kids to coding in very accessible ways - great for everyone to have a base understanding and to realize that if they think it, they can code it #games4ed
A3: I believe that it is beneficial for students to understanding coding on a computer because it will help them for their future grades and career allowing them to integrate it into their field #games4ed
I like the second part. IMO not every kid needs to know how to make code work, but I like the argument that it improves the crit thinking and prob. solving #games4ed
A bit of both, but mainly that I'm making the most effective use of time. So much to cover (like any teacher, I know), that I wonder how I can connect it more with ELA. Using @twinethreads is one way, but always looking for others :) #games4ed
I've seen some cool analysis of books done - like pulling out all colour words from the text and representing the book based on colour frequency. https://t.co/9QUjzG7X6a#games4ed
A4: I think that having a website specifically meant for coding with kids on hand might be a helpful tool to have in the classroom. I know I defiantly liked the one from the hour of code! #games4ed
A4: I don't know about coding programs but am very interested to learn which programs may more applicable for my future classroom, if at all. #games4ed
A4: It's hard to say which are 'necessary' as there are so many. I'd say the necessary component is applying the skills rather than just doing tutorials - it's easy to get stuck in the follow the self guided stuff rut #games4ed
A4 - Nothing. You can teach the basics of coding with two people and the concept of giving directions. After that, the necessities are more tied to the end goals... (need robots if goal is to program robots. And the type of robot depends on what the robot needs to do) #games4ed
Q4: There are so many tools, apps, games out there to teach and introduce coding, none are necessary, but make the Experience fun. Coding can be dry, things like Code Builder make it fun. Some with robots, video games, modding, etc #games4ed
A4: I like anything that can be hands on. Tech can be costly, but there are lots of good unplugged activities, especially for younger students. #littlecoders is great card based coding - love robots like @SpheroEdu and LEGO WeDo and Mindstorms #games4ed
And I've read some bloggers who have found success with students & phones (if they're lacking technology availability.) Not sure how many apps phones could work with, but awesome for schools who have tight technology budgets! #games4ed
Necessary is a strong term. I mean there are plenty of cut and dry coding courses out there,for free, that will teach it, but are they fun? What are the best possible vehicles for Building excitement around the subject? What facilitates access and equity for all/most #games4ed
I like the simple way to explain coding with just two people. I've got Ss who would be so overwhelmed at the idea of coding that this would be a good way to introduce it to them! #games4ed
A5: I'm not really sure how it fits into other subjects. I want to know how to introduce it into my future English class though. I don't want to be stuck to old books, pen, and paper. I want to be able to introduce technologies like coding into my subject. #games4ed
Yes, Following any logical progression can be a form of coding. Recipes, Code historical events with if/then statements, @twinethreads is great for coding stories. #games4ed
A5: I love starting it as procedural writing for ELA - also like pulling it in to help show understanding of areas like health and SS. Use Scratch and a @makeymakey to make cool interactive posters #games4ed
A5: Short answer - absolutely! It's always important to see how you can build in cross curricular opportunities. Coding fits everywhere as it relates to everything. Just a matter of appropriate / creative planning #games4ed
It both shows that anyone can learn to code, but that it's harder then it looks. We all think we can easily give directions, but understanding that "walk forward" doesn't mean stop when you hit something, can be eye opening. #games4ed
A5: Used to teach using @globaloria, and their whole idea is to code for educational games. Their idea is know the subject, now create a game to teach it. Applicable in any subject #games4ed
A5 - Sure. Want to pull out similarities between books? Analyze all the historical data? See how changing one variable changes the whole outcome in economics?
It does require stepping outside of the box as code = solution to code = assistant.
#games4ed
My wife has one with K-1 ages, but thinks that my 4/5's can do great things with it. There are a few free apps from Wonder Workshop to code with it. #games4ed
A5: I believe that coding can be applied to many content areas, where students are trying to find patterns in literature, or any math subject #games4ed
A6: While I am also new to coding, I would tell teachers new to coding not to be afraid to try new things to enhance their classrooms, and that coding could help any subject. #games4ed
A6: Be patient, don't worry about not having all the answers. https://t.co/7F47ZcB983 is a great place to start, you can do some tutorials and get used to the idea of coding and see what the Ss would see. Can build from there #games4ed
A6 - if still in school - take a first year CS class. Otherwise, look for other organizations offering workshops (like @learningcode). Or pick some tech that looks cool and experiment. And throw out perfect as your goal. Aim for progress. #games4ed.
Yeah, I'm always fighting about games being blocked. One senior complained to me that his game of chess was blocked. I'm guessing Steam is def a no-go. :( :( :( #games4ed
In reply to
@WiseDad_Games, @jvanscoyoc, @MrBaskwill, @twinethreads
A6: Hour of Code is very helpful for teachers who are just starting out with coding. There are tons of great resources that will help with learning to code #games4ed
A7: I think it can be celebrated by finding ways to display their work. Use it for future classes, publish it on a school website even. Let them show their work publicly and don't just give them a grade. #games4ed
I've been coding for close to 20 years now (yikes... started in hs). And I *still* run into this problem of getting frustrated because it's not "perfect" and ignoring the progress I have made. #games4ed.
A7: I would celebrate their coding through giving each of them a certificate to take home at the end of the class, as well as give them encouragement throughout #games4ed
Another way to do the presentations - if have them present a problem they encountered and how they overcame it (or if they haven't the solutions they've attempted). Great way to collaborate and spread knowledge. #games4ed
A7: I have kids blog about their experiences and showcase it on my pinterest board or via twitter. https://t.co/hRbHR7O9bu - and of course a lot of high fives! #games4ed
A shared workspace I know of has a gong - you get to hit it when something particularly exciting happens (progress, new sales target hit, etc...) #games4ed
Such an amazing chat tonight. Definitely check out the resources on https://t.co/qyC70zyjrO if you want to look through other apps you haven't checked out yet! Thank you to everyone who chatted and shared tonight! You are the best! #games4ed
Yes - why block @pinterest? so many great resources #games4ed also LOVE LOVE LOVE @snapguide for kids to make tutorials for others and learn from #games4ed
