Yesterday I hurried home to join a webinar with CodeJoy called Teacher Talks. This time of the year is a time when I struggle for inspiration and I knew that Matt and Kelsey would deliver something useful that I would want to do in my class. I was not disappointed. In 40 minutes, I learned how to create a little robot as well as different ways to use the mini robot to connect to both coding and creation. | |
In a few weeks, I will be able to access the tutorials for this project. I am continually amazed at how easy it is to learn with Kelsey and Matt but also the amount of resources that they share freely with educators and students. If you go to the student section of CodeJoy's website, you can click on the interactive student sessions where there are videos and project PDFs that you can use with your students. Nothing will replace the banter of a PD session with Kelsey and Matt but I truly appreciate the resources that I can use with my students too.
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So it has been about two weeks since CrossRoads as I write this post about the last day and the impact that CrossRoads has had on both my teaching and connections with the larger Computer Science and Making communities.
Sometimes we forget that what works in one place is driven by the relationships and trust that was put into place not just a curriculum or idea.I kept hearing in my head Hamilton's "In the Room Where it Happened" song as I spent the day connecting and learning. Sometimes I would step into the conversation and share about my experience in the classroom and I always felt that it was a welcome part of the larger conversations. At times I had to remind myself that I was in a room of people who are passionate about the same thing and that we need to be cautious about making assumptions both in regards to something someone is saying and also in what we perceive to be happening in our schools. I have spent my entire career in the public education system so I recognize how difficult systems change is and continues to be. It was one of the fundamental reasons why I went back into the classroom because for me change happens in my day to day interactions and learning. I would love to be part of larger scale changes but I needed to start somewhere where I could test my ideas and see what might or might not work. My ultimate goal with CrossRoads was to build relationships with different people and organizations that would continue to build opportunities for my students and community. On Day 3, my focus was to lay the groundwork for future collaborations.
Two Weeks After CrossRoads
This week was a highly anticipated week for me. After learning how to use the Hummingbird robotics in summer PD from Infosys and CodeJoy, I realized that this was the robotics that belonged in my classroom. After getting a Donor's Choose Flock (4 of the premium) of Hummingbirds in early January, I finally could share this powerful learning and creating journey.
My journey started in the summer but because Birdbrain has a robust PD video support program, I quickly relearned what I really didn't remember. I recognized that I wasn't going to be as dynamic as Kelsey and Matt on my first go around, so I leaned heavily on what they created and continue to provide throughCodeJoy. I am still learning too. Week 1: Introduction and LEDs
BirdBrain PD (My Edpuzzle Hack)
Already I feel more confident in bringing robotics and making into my classroom with my designers. This week ended with a challenge that we had in our PD of creating a LED mascot which designers shared in Flip. I love using Flip to capture learning.
Notes from Week 1: I do realize that a kit per two people is what I need for my classroom. I had three designers to a kit but it really allowed one of the designers to not be engaged and that is not what I want to see happening. More fundraising on the way..... Our Flip Hummingbird Designs Mixtape
I started the school year with both the experience of using Micro:Bit V2, a class set from the Infosys Foundation, and the resources that CodeJoy with Kelsey and Matt provided me. I am a maker at heart so coding to solve puzzles did not motivate me either. I wanted to make and see the impact of my programming which with Micro:Bit V2 is amazing. Entering the world of Micro:Bit has given me the opportunity to follow some amazing educators on Twitter as well as share some of what I am trying in my classroom from Spain to Japan. In a few weeks, I will have the opportunity to attend Crossroads 23. I still marvel at the opportunities that I have been given through the support of the Infosys Foundation. I am profoundly humbled by the connections and impact that I have been provided through Pathfinders. Two days after returning from Crossroads 23, I will be co-presenting a workshop on Micro:Bits at IDEACon about the Monster Virtual Pet lessons.
Project Trix
Lesson 6: Virtual PetLesson 7: CommunicatorMicro:Bit PD Courses
Day 1
Day 2
My LED Bunny
Dreams by Langston HughesDay 3
After an afternoon of thinking about my robot poetry and working within the time constraints and knowledge constraints, we stared Day 3 sharing our projects in breakout rooms. Day 3 was learning the next level of both the uses of the Hummingbird as well as the resources on the website. The website has so many resources that provide me the next steps of how to use different devices with bluetooth as well as projects. Honestly I can't determine which resource is my favorite - the step by step tutorials, the projects, or the reading list to connect to stories.
My Reflection
This was an exceptional virtual PD. Kelsey's energy and Matt's support in answering questions really made learning something new seem so much easier and doable for both me and my students. I loved how Kelsey introduced the different components and then it was tied to a project. I not only learned a lot about the components and programming the components but also an effective way to introduce these concepts to my students.
I am lucky enough to have CodeJoy with Micro:Bits in July so I will get to work with Kelsey and Matt again. Thank you Pathfinders for providing these opportunities! |
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