The #michED chat is a grassroots effort dedicated to giving teachers, students, and parents across Michigan a bigger voice in the conversation about education in our state. We welcome all voices through a variety of projects, media, and social networking. We’re trying to address educational issues through apolitical conversation, spreading ideas and stories of success from Michigan classrooms across the state, and helping teachers and students regain the courage to connect and demonstrate that schools in Michigan are creating amazing opportunities for learning. We want the face and voice of education in Michigan to be a mural of shared experiences and positive examples of connected learning.
Daniel from Saint Joseph. Instructional tech specialist. #michED pretty comfortable with #hourofcode and blocks, but beyond makes me want to smash things!
#miched Hi! I teach 4C technology at Country El in Pinckney. My K thru 3rd grade students just LOVE to code! I'd love to know what you do at your schools as well! #coderocks#HourofCode
Q1: According to the statistic below parents want coding in schools. Does your school promote computer science courses or build in time for your students? If yes, tell us about it!
If not, what do you think is holding you or your school up? #miched
oops forgot my gif #miched This is me when the https://t.co/sirjXEn7Dd releases their new tutorials. I get so excited to share them (especially starwars and minecraft!) with my students!
A1: My school doesn't necessarily promote coding.. most T's say "they don't have time". :( My Admins are very supportive of my efforts to bring coding into the day though! #MichEd
A1: We are hosting our first school wide Hour of Code event next Friday. Hoping that will increase interest across the building and eliminate some of their fears! #MichEd
A1: we try to add to classes throughout the year, but not much built in time. One or two courses. Focus is more on business applications like Word & Excel #hourofcode#michED
A1: Until I brought coding to the elementary schools in my district, it wasn’t on their radar. No promotion of coding or any CS. Why not, time and resources seem to be the factors. #miched
A1: At El lvl coding in computers class (son in 2nd grade!)
HS not so much (but we do have Robotics Club). I'm looking into getting a course going, checking with what is taught in current offerings.
Used to do a ton of TIBASIC coding on TI84.
Staffing is the big hold up. #miched
A1: We have pockets where #HourofCode is celebrated. One of elementary , tech classes at the middle school and limited participation at high school. Time is always a factor! And access to technology. #MichED
A1: Most of the schools I work in incorporate some elements of coding & computer science electives. Those that don't lack awareness, interest, devices, or some combination of all three. #miched
I decorate my room and the kids celebrate starting the end of November. We decorate my hallway and the kids keep track of how much coding we do. My principal is very supportive, but I wish I could integrate the other teachers more. #miched
I decorate my room and the kids celebrate starting the end of November. We decorate my hallway and the kids keep track of how much coding we do. My principal is very supportive, but I wish I could integrate the other teachers more. #miched
Hi there! A1: I teach a computer science-ish class called App Development. We've made apps using MIT App Inventor and https://t.co/nmGCrFg8jR's App Lab. We also do other crazy stuff. #miched
With the shortage of teachers certified and those CS majors who take on the 78K avg. starting salary in the corporate world, who is left to teach? #miched
A2: In my class, in TI84 calculators we look at algorithms (calculate quad formula, slopes, etc) In Geo we do shoelace area calculations (look it up!). In calc we do matrix animation projects as well as approximation programs. #miched
Q2: Storytelling. @mrscantu5@ERStiefel and I are presenting on this at MACUL! We coded adaptations of stories and identified and applied the elements of a story using Spheros and Dash. #miched
Co-worker did slope with spheros. Used @birdbraintech Finch rebots for story telling in lower grades. Hosted lunch time coders and enrichment coders. #michED
A2: Co-worker did slope with spheros. Used @birdbraintech Finch rebots for story telling in lower grades. Hosted lunch time coders and enrichment coders. #michED
A3: Whoa...Deep! Based on so many other factors, many programmers need industry certs not degrees. Can allow for lower SES to achieve better outcomes without having to go through traditional channels that are historically difficult for lower SES to complete #Thanks280#michED
Hey #MichEd: Michael here. Michigander living in #SanDiego, working with @RWScholars to connect students and teachers to people and causes they care about. Minimal coding exp, but thinking about getting better has me like:
A3: Whoa...Deep! Based on so many other factors, many programmers need industry certs not degrees. Can allow for lower SES to achieve better outcomes without having to go through traditional channels that are historically difficult for lower SES to complete #Thanks280#michED
A3: I don't think any one thing improves *educational* equity (financial equity out of school, maybe). Coding is a big piece of our modern world as is art, music, math, and literature. We do a disservice to our students if we aren't giving the option to code. #miched
A3: Many young kids are still on a level playing field--as in little to no experience. It's easily differentiated, too. I usually have about 3 different "lessons" going on. #miched
A3: Many young kids are still on a level playing field--as in little to no experience. It's easily differentiated, too. I usually have about 3 different "lessons" going on. #miched
A3: so true and necessary for us to try and continue even if not core classes, grad requirement, or during school hours. Check out a program like @sbcodeschool that is doing amazing things for South Bend and it's students! #michED
#miched A2 I think that dash and dot are really great for reinforcing math concepts in the classroom. The coding opportunities and robots help make the experiences memorable for kids!
A3: and while I like a discreet coding class, I'd really want to have ALL teachers bringing coding into their own curricula--what needs to be removed to make that happen? #miched
Q4: So you don’t have a lot of technology? That's OK! There are many unplugged activities for students to try. What are some of your favorite unplugged coding activities and resources? #miched
I like that https://t.co/IDpX2aOP0R also provides "unplugged" activities so students can experience computational thinking even without computers. #MichED
A3: logical thinking, problem-solving, & other brain activity that might lead to a world that believes in the value of learning, proof, collaboration, etc. #miched
A4: developed an awesome 15 minute block code offline maze with large print out sheets. Students had to program human "robot" that was blindfolded to get through maze. Maze can easily change! Was blast! #michED
There are other ways to practice coding. I did that lego one at METS and there is a card one to teach ifttt, let me see if I can find the link. Plus, I've seen cute bead ones for Christmas! #miched
There are other ways to practice coding. I did that lego one at METS and there is a card one to teach ifttt, let me see if I can find the link. Plus, I've seen cute bead ones for Christmas! #miched
A4: My fav “unplugged” activity is
Class 1 draws monster on 3 pc grid. They then describe how to draw each of the 3 parts in writing. Class 2 uses only directions to recreate Class 1’s monsters. They compare & are amazed they have to be more specific! #miched
A4: In Geo, I do proofs. We need to figure out how to get from the beginning to end.
We do MIRA constructions. They need to find the steps to get from the input to output.
I also look to have kids find their own process and teach to others. #miched
A5: Anybody using Swift Playground, yet? Thinking of that next. CS First and @codeorg are our favorites. ISO anything that is gamified but appropriate for high school #miched
A5: My favorite is @BitsboxKids . I have used it 2-5 with success. I love the freedom kids have to modify and create code...and they have to type the code, which makes it feel more real! #MichEd
A5: Favorite secondary resource is https://t.co/cqaK2R0u84. Good introduction for me to KAREL. And, they have great courses to support HS Computer Science, including AP courses. #MichED
A5: I've only used TIBASIC with my students (and some minor relational constructions in Geogebra).
Want to use more with students. Hoping to get some training this summer. #miched
Q5 #miched Our first site is https://t.co/sirjXEn7Dd! My lower el kiddos also love Kodable, botlogic, Google's elf themed code boogie & code lab, The Foo's, Tynker's puppy adventure.
A6: oops. Covered some in A5! @SpheroEdu & @birdbraintech are two that I have used a lot. Learning more with @FIRSTweets this year as a FTC mentor. @microbit_edu is looking cool. Want to learn more about Arduino and RaspberryPi as well. #michED
We are finding they don't stay connected as well on Chromebook, but we have only tried one brand so far. And Chromebooks are not as fun to carry around:) #Miched
In reply to
@RMWynkoop, @betharsenault14, @Sphero, @WonderWorkshop
Q7: In a previous district, #HourofCode was the beginning of introducing Computer Science. Pathways were developed including PLTW and AP at secondary. Clubs at elementary and coding as part of technology at the middle school. #MichED
A7: I love the idea started here tonight--"Coding in Core Curriculum" (I like alliteration) or something. I wonder if we can compile some list of lessons and resources for coding in each core subject? #miched
