Protecting Student Data Privacy: What Teachers Need to Know

Posted on March 7, 2023January 16, 2023 by Beth

As classrooms become increasingly digital, there is an increased need for teachers to understand how data privacy works and the steps they can take to protect their students’ information. It’s important for educators to be aware of the laws and regulations surrounding student data privacy and how to stay compliant. Let’s break down what teachers need to know about this important topic.

Why Student Data Privacy Matters

Student data privacy is extremely important in the digital world. With a wealth of technology at our fingertips, it’s now easier than ever for educators to collect and store personal student data—from contact information and test scores to attendance records and grades. However, with great power comes great responsibility—and when it comes to handling sensitive information like student data, it’s essential that teachers understand their obligations.

What are the Laws?

In the United States, several federal laws offer guidance on protecting student data privacy. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ensures that parents have access to their child’s educational records and control over who else can view them. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) regulates online services that collect personal information from children under 13 years old—and since many students use online platforms for learning, this law applies directly to schools as well. And finally, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) sets regulations regarding how health-related information should be stored and shared by any organization that handles such data. All of these laws can seem overwhelming—but understanding them is critical in order to keep students safe online.

How Can Teachers Protect Their Students?

The best way for teachers to protect their students’ data is by staying informed about current legislation related to student privacy rights as well as implementing school policies that ensure compliance with those laws. Educators should also use security measures like encryption software or two-factor authentication whenever possible when storing or sharing student files electronically so that only authorized personnel have access. Finally, teachers must make sure they are familiar with any third-party platforms they use in their classes—many free apps require users to agree upon terms of service which may include collecting personal information from users without parental consent or permission from school administrators; if so, these apps should be avoided if at all possible!

Protecting students’ data privacy is a top priority for educators today—and understanding relevant legislation is key in order for teachers can ensure they are taking the necessary steps towards compliance. By staying informed about current laws related to student privacy rights and implementing appropriate security measures, educators can help keep their students safe online while still making use of digital tools in the classroom!

Best EdTech Tools to Use In Your Classroom

Posted on February 28, 2023January 16, 2023 by Beth

The use of educational technology (EdTech) tools in the classroom have become increasingly popular in recent years. With the rise of new technologies, educators have a variety of options available to them when it comes to enhancing student learning. From interactive whiteboards to virtual reality systems, EdTech tools are being used in classrooms to engage students, increase collaboration, and improve learning outcomes.

In this blog post, we’ll explore some of the best EdTech tools to use in your classroom. From virtual learning platforms to 3D printing, these tools can help you create an engaging and effective learning environment for your students.

Interactive Whiteboards: Interactive whiteboards are an effective way to engage students and encourage collaboration in the classroom. These whiteboards can be used to present material in an interactive way and allow students to collaborate on projects and assignments. With interactive whiteboards, you can also easily share documents, videos, and other multimedia content with your students. Virtual Learning Platforms:

Virtual learning platforms, such as Blackboard or Moodle, are a great way to connect with your students and provide them with a more engaging learning experience. These platforms allow you to create virtual classrooms where students can access learning materials, collaborate on projects, and engage in discussions with their peers.

3D Printers: 3D printers are becoming increasingly popular in the classroom. These tools can be used to create tangible objects that students can interact with and learn from. 3D printers can also be used to create models and prototypes, which can be used to help illustrate concepts and ideas.

Augmented Reality: Augmented reality (AR) is a great tool for enhancing student learning. AR can be used to create immersive learning experiences by overlaying virtual objects and information onto the real world. This technology can be used to create interactive textbooks, games, and other educational materials.

These are just a few of the many EdTech tools that can be used in the classroom to engage students and improve learning outcomes. Educators should explore their options and find the tools that work best for their classroom. With the right EdTech tools, educators can create an engaging and effective learning environment for their students.

Embracing Technology in Education: The Case for ChatGPT

Posted on January 13, 2023January 13, 2023 by user

The New York City Department of Education has announced that it will be restricting access to ChatGPT, a powerful artificial intelligence (AI) tool, on its networks and devices due to concerns about the safety and accuracy of its content. While ChatGPT may be able to provide quick and easy answers to questions, the department has stated that it does not build critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for academic and lifelong success.

“Due to concerns about negative impacts on student learning, and concerns regarding the safety and accuracy of content, access to ChatGPT is restricted on New York City Public Schools’ networks and devices,” “While the tool may be able to provide quick and easy answers to questions, it does not build critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for academic and lifelong success.”
Education department spokesperson Jenna Lyle told in a statement

This decision has sparked controversy in the education and technology community, many questioning the purpose of an outright ban on innovative technology. Technology such as this has the potential to evolve our abilities in work, learning, and innovation.

I’d love to see more collaboration with technologists and educators to avoid things like outright bans of technology innovation by education bodies. These innovations already evolve our abilities in work, learning and innovation, simply restricting them out of fear is ridiculous.

I’ve been using ChatGPT for the past month and it’s already become one of my go-to tools for a variety of tasks, including marketing and business model development. In just a few short weeks, it’s helped me increase my productivity significantly. It’s user-friendly, efficient, and great for learning and research. It is only the tip of the iceberg of what AI can do for education.

ChatGPT helping me find the best title for this blog article

The idea that ChatGPT is anti-critical thinking and problem solving is misguided. In fact, it’s often the traditional methods of teaching that prioritize formulaic responses over genuine expression of ideas, as pointed out in this Forbes article by Peter Greene– https://lnkd.in/gNWPRq4U

“Pushed by the rise of rubrics and standardized test essays, high school writing instruction has drifted in the direction of performative faux writing. The five-paragraph essay is a perfect example of writing in which a student is expected to perform adherence to a composition algorithm, rather than develop an essay by starting with ideas and working out how best to express them. Too often student are expected to follow a formula, to reliably mediocre results.”
Peter Greene, Senior Contributor at Forbes

As someone who has seen firsthand the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, I can confidently say that it is an inevitable part of the future of learning. From personalizing the learning experience for students to streamlining tasks for teachers, the benefits of AI in education are numerous.

I hope this fear of technology in education is only temporary and that students will have the opportunity to use tools like ChatGPT (later to release its 4th iteration, which will be way more capable) to empower their learning and development.

Boost Student Engagement with Technology This School Year

Posted on September 13, 2022November 2, 2022 by Beth

Technology is a fundamental part of our everyday lives. In the last 20 years, at least, I would say that it’s become as essential as drinking water to how we function as a society. The current generation of students, Gen Z, has never known life without the internet, smartphones, or social media. But until 2019, it was still seen as a benefit to education – not essential.

Now, similar to Gen Z always having the Internet, there are younger students just starting school who don’t have an experience of “school” without technology being a core component. So how can teachers integrate technology to engage their students in class? How can they maintain attention and interest levels when technology offers many distractions? In what ways can teachers utilize technology to not only teach but prepare them for what comes next?

If you’re a teacher asking these questions, you’re in the right place. This blog post will discuss how you can use technology to get your students excited about learning!

1. Create personalized learning environments

One of the most exciting things about technology is that it offers so many opportunities to create personalized learning environments for students. Whether it’s virtual reality, distance, or online projects – you can have an entire classroom of students working at their own pace with the same learning objectives.

For example, let’s say you’re a history teacher who wants students to use more technology to convey their understanding of the French Revolution. When I was in school fifteen years ago, this meant everyone had to make a PowerPoint and present it to the class. In 2022, this could mean that some students make a video, write a blog, create a landing page, record interviews with other students or use photography to show understanding of the subject matter. Having students present information using technology in a way they understand is a step forward to keeping them engaged and focused on what they’re learning. Plus, you get to see how their minds work.

2. Use social media to your advantage

Tik Tok, Telegram, Instagram, Youtube, and Discord – are currently the most popular social media apps for students. But how to incorporate social media into your classroom? You can start by using Telegram or Discord to foster community in your classroom and post class updates. Tik Tok and YouTube are great opportunities to make fun educational videos about your lessons and encourage students to create their own. Using social media in an educational context also provides you as the teacher to advise on best practices for using social media and helps monitor how they think about the platforms they share on.

Freshen up old resources with digital designs

You don’t need to be a graphic designer to do this either. Sites like Canva offer free design templates for you to choose from that will give your hardcopy resources new life and your students more accessibility to the content.

The more engaging the content, the more likely it is to be memorized better and understood on an individual level. This can help you reach your audience in ways other forms of communication might not work well for! Learning becomes a personal process with visuals or infographics, allowing us all access to complex concepts without having trouble understanding them at first glance because they are so easy to see.

Build your own personal brand this year

If you don’t already have an online presence as a teacher, consider starting this year. While this doesn’t directly affect your students’ learning experience, it does affect how you can communicate with students and parents, post educational insights about your subject, post announcements, and share resources with other teachers. There are many scheduling tools, so you don’t have to post manually.

These four strategies should give you a good starting point for using technology to engage your students. But there are countless other ways to use technology in the classroom, so don’t be afraid to get creative. Comment below with your suggestions, and let us know how you’re using technology to create engage your students.

An EdTech Checklist for New Teachers

Posted on August 23, 2022November 2, 2022 by Beth

It’s back-to-school time, so teachers are busy preparing their classrooms and lesson plans. While preparing your classroom, don’t forget to make the most of your technology! Here is a back-to-school EdTech checklist to help you get started.

1. Make sure your devices are charged and ready to go.

Before the first day of school, charge all your devices, including your laptop, tablet, and phone. This will ensure that you can use them throughout the day without worrying about running out of battery.

If you have a laptop or desktop computer, it’s also a good idea to ensure that it’s up-to-date with the latest software. This will help you avoid potential glitches or problems during the school year.

Finally, take some time to familiarize yourself with any new technology you’ll use in your classroom. Whether it’s a new app or website, spending a few minutes learning how it works will save you time and frustration.

2. Update your software and apps.

Now that you’ve charged your devices, it’s time to update your software and apps. This will help you avoid potential glitches or problems during the school year.

If you’re not sure how to update your software, don’t worry! The process is usually pretty simple. You can find the update option in the settings menu for most devices. Once you’ve located the updates, follow the prompts to install them.

If you’re using an app that needs to be updated, you’ll usually be notified when there’s a new version available. To update the app, simply go to your app store and search for the app name. Once you’ve found it, click “update,” and the new version will be downloaded to your device.

You can avoid any potential headaches down the road by taking a few minutes to update your software and apps.

3. Download new curricula and resources.

Now that your devices are all charged and up-to-date, it’s time to download any new curricula or resources you’ll be using in your classroom. This could include new textbooks to digital resources like eBooks or apps.

If you’re unsure where to find these resources, check with your school’s IT department. They should be able to point you in the right direction.

Once you’ve downloaded all of the new resources you need, take some time to familiarize yourself with them. This will help you hit the ground running on the first day of school!

This ensures you’re making the most of your technology this back-to-school season. By taking a few minutes to prepare, you can avoid any potential headaches and be ready to take on the new school year!

4. Set up your learning management system (LMS).

If you’re using a learning management system (LMS) in your classroom, now is the time to set it up. An LMS is a great way to keep track of your student’s progress, assign and grade assignments, and provide feedback.

There are many different LMS options, so take some time to research which one will work best for you and your students. Once you’ve chosen an LMS, create an account and start familiarizing yourself with how it works.

If you’re unsure where to start, check out our list of the best LMS options for busy teachers.

Setting up your LMS can make your life much easier during the school year. Trust us, it’s worth the effort!

These simple tips will help you make the most of your technology this back-to-school season. By taking a few minutes to prepare, you can avoid any potential headaches and be ready to take on the new school year!

5. Connect with other educators online.

One of the best ways to make the most of your technology is to connect with other educators online. There are tons of great online communities where you can share resources, ask questions, and get advice from your peers.

By connecting with other educators, you can ensure you’re always up-to-date on the latest technology trends. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about feeling alone in your journey as a busy teacher!

What are your favorite back-to-school tips? Share them in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you.

How to Integrate Coding into Core Curriculum

Posted on July 19, 2022November 2, 2022 by Beth

Should coding be integrated into the core curriculum, or should it be an elective or a particular area class all on its own?

Segregation or Integration?

Integration is always the way to go speaking from personal experience.

I was a computer lab teacher (I prefer Digital Literacy Teacher). Students would come to my lab once a week for 35-minutes. After taking attendance, reviewing, and giving that day’s assignment, we were left with about 20-25 minutes. Three times a year, the lab would be used for 3-weeks to do assessment testing (which is a total of 9-weeks – plus a make-up week). So as you can see, I didn’t have much time with the students. I taught word processing, presentations, internet searching, coding, and keyboard skills. For six out of the seven years that I taught computers, our district was not 1:1, nor did the teachers have computer access unless they signed out the one computer cart housed in the media center.

So my class was segregated. The students received about 12 hours of instruction a year. ONLY in my room. When teachers did sign out the computer cart and worked on typing an essay or making a presentation slide deck, they would come to me and say:

“The students are not good at typing.”

“Some of my students don’t know their password.”

“Did you teach them how to do a presentation? They seem to have trouble.”

At first, I was upset with myself. Did I not teach effectively? Were my lessons not engaging? Then I blamed the students. “Why are they not retaining, and why can’t they use the skills from my class in their general education classroom?

After some reflection, I realized that segregating these skills harms the students. So I spoke to my principal and presented my “new” idea.

“I want to meet with the teachers, find out what topics they are covering and integrate them into my classroom.”

I started small and used simple topics. For example, fourth-grade students were learning about New York State geography. So I had my students use Google Earth to locate rivers and mountain ranges, then they used Google Search to gain insight into the history. Finally, they collected the information and created a Google Slide presentation for their teachers. Next, I wanted to take a more significant step. The fourth graders were also learning about the Iroquois Indians, so I had the students work in small groups, and they created an Iroquois village using Minecraft.

I wasn’t on an island anymore; I was part of the community!

So how does all that relate to our topic, “How to integrate coding into the core curriculum.” First, I want you to understand the importance of integrating subjects into your classroom versus segregating. Then, the students will see the value and how these skills apply to other areas of their life.

No matter where you teach or which grade level you teach, you hear the words computational thinking, problem-solving, and critical thinking to name just a few. These are vital skills that coding teaches students. Of course, all subject area teachers K-12 want their students to have these skills because they are essential for any job/career they may go into. However, teaching these skills can be challenging.

If I mention coding to a teacher, I instantly hear:

“Isn’t that for the tech teacher?”

“I don’t have time for that in my curriculum.”

“I don’t know how to code nor have time to learn.”

To solve these problems, check out this BSD Learn webinar, “How to Integrate Coding into Core Curriculum,”. You can find all previously recorded webinars here on our website.

Best Practices In Teaching Students To Code

Posted on April 4, 2022November 2, 2022 by Beth

Coding…Programming…Syntax

What do you think of when I mention those words?

Some teachers say:

“I have no experience, I could never teach coding/programming!”

“I teach science, not coding.”

“How can I teach something I know nothing about?”

My answers:

“You don’t need the experience to teach coding.”

“Science teachers, along with all core subject area teachers, can easily integrate coding into their curriculum.”

“Again, you don’t need the experience to teach coding.”

About eight years ago I started teaching coding. I was a “Computer Lab” teacher transitioned into “Introduction to Computers” again transitioned into “Computer Literacy” and lastly “Digital Literacy” teacher. Phew!!

It goes without saying that technology is ever-changing. Technology created yesterday will be outdated tomorrow. A new device, application, or website reveals their next best tool for learning this school year, and then next it is something else. My technology director always said to me, “Ask yourself, is it a new fad or is it engaging and purposeful across the board? Will the students learn and grow or will it be purely ‘fun’ with a one and done type scenario?”

When coding and programming became the main topic at a faculty meeting, I began to research.

I asked myself.

“Is it a new fad or is it engaging and purposeful across the board? Will the students learn and grow or will it be purely ‘fun’ with a one and done type scenario?”

I was instantly sold that this was a must-have in my classroom. We all know now the benefits of coding/programming.

Logical thinking
Problem-solving
Creativity
Perseverance
Resilience

However, how do I teach something I know nothing about? Everyone assumed since I was the “computer” teacher, I knew how to code. ABSOLUTELY, NOT!

I taught students K-5. I started with K-2 doing unplugged activities and for my 4th-5th we started with block coding. The unplugged activities were very easy to understand and I was able to easily create my own material. However, I didn’t know anything about block coding except the fact that you clicked and dragged blocks. What did the blocks mean, how did I order them, what is a ‘sprite’ – soda right?

When I announced to my upper elementary students that I was thinking about doing a unit on coding, the students immediately cheered. However, when the students found out that my idea of coding was block style the cheers turned into groans.

“Mrs. Renda, we do block coding all the time. We want to do more, like, create a video game or a website or an app!”

So we had a discussion based on what the students were interested in and what they already knew or wanted to know. We narrowed it down to HTML, CSS, and Javascript.

My brain: “What just happened? I was okay with block coding but I didn’t even know what HTML stood for until a student in the class told me. My brain reminded my lungs to breathe. How do I proceed?”

Rule #1: Learn with your students

I am a teacher, and no I don’t know everything. Say this to yourself in the mirror, and believe it! Yes, we are expected to know our content area but technology might not be your jam. That’s Okay! This is a great opportunity to teach a growth mindset, resilience, and perseverance. Be honest with the students.

“This is new to me, but I thought it would be exciting to learn it together. I am sure that some of you probably know more than me.”

This leads me to the next rule.

Rule #2: Lean on the experts

When I say ‘experts’, I mean the students. Yup!! Giving students the power to become the ‘teacher’ is a sure way to go. By having your advanced students help with FAQs or your questions that are very frequent, you have your own personal IT department to help you along the way. Give the students ownership of a bulletin board to display how-to demos or those FAQs. This technique works twofold, not only is the student helping others (and you), but they are taking a leadership role and feeling empowered.

So you are learning along with the students, have your experts picked out, but now what?

Rules #3: Interest drives the learning

Give the student the steering wheel! it’s okay, let go, give up control. Let the students figure out the gas pedal and how to control their speed. Letting them take the wheel sort of speaking will give them autonomy, ownership, empowerment, excitement, and the drive for hard play. You will love it when the students turn on their headlights and start driving on their own.

If you are interested in learning more, tune in to our upcoming webinar (or watch the recorded version) where we will share other practical tips and evidence-based methods for teaching students code. In the webinar, we will discuss the PRIMM method, Pair Programming, and how to use Worked Examples with code comments. All previously-recorded webinars can be found here on our website.

Demystifying Artificial Intelligence

Posted on March 3, 2022November 2, 2022 by user

Whether you realize it or not, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already playing a major role in our digital lives. AI is involved in these applications, from what to watch next on YouTube, how to get to the supermarket on Google Maps, or asking Siri to schedule your next appointment. Since AI is already a part of our lives, shouldn’t we be learning about it in school?

Several education institutions have collaborated to develop the 5 Big Ideas in AI Education that provides a framework for how schools and curriculum designers can start incorporating AI into their curriculum, from theoretical to practical. Education researchers are also discovering how students, families and educators can benefit from learning about AI and have found that while AI can be extremely useful, it also has some limitations. For example, after students learn how AI image recognition works, they may find that it isn’t always 100% accurate. Our AI curriculum at BSD shows an example of how an AI image recognition tool can’t easily tell the difference between a chihuahua and a blueberry cupcake.

“Since AI is already a part of our lives, shouldn’t we be learning about it in school?”

In science fiction, AI is often depicted as hyper-intelligent and deeply complex. The reality is that we are still very far away from AI, which is comparable to human intelligence. We have systems that, over time, become very good at predicting outcomes based on supplied data.

Let’s imagine you want to train an AI image recognition system to use your webcam to tell the difference between apples and bananas. First, you would supply dozens of pre-labeled images of apples and bananas. Then you would show your webcam some example images or real-life examples to see how well it predicts the correct fruit. Depending on the quality of the supplied images, the AI will do its best to predict what is shown.

This is where we might encounter some problems. All data is susceptible to 3 forms of data bias:

Amount of information
Diversity of information
Quality of information

Like humans, we need many examples and practice to learn something new. For the AI to learn the difference between apples and bananas, it must see dozens if not hundreds of different images. Those images also need to be diverse enough to show the range of different shades of colors, shapes, and varieties of the two fruits. The supplied images must also be high-quality images free of “noise” or background information. If the supplied images meet the requirements and contain less data bias, the ability to predict will be higher.

You can even try this for yourself now. Here is a link to BSD’s AI Image Recognition Tool. This tool uses your webcam to take photos of whatever you want it to recognize. Let’s use the previous example of apples and bananas. Hold up an apple to your webcam and click on “Add to Class One,” and the webcam will snap one photo and save it for learning. Hold up a banana and click on “Add to Class Two.” You will need a minimum of 10 images for each class. Once you have the photos, click on “Training & Predict.” The AI tool will analyze and learn the supplied images, allowing it to predict what the webcam sees. Then, test out the prediction by showing other examples of apples and bananas.

Instead of apples and bananas, you can choose any two items, or even use your own face, perhaps with and without a funny hat or sunglasses. If you encounter any prediction errors, refer to the 3 types of Data Bias for clues to what might be the cause.

BSD’s AI Image Recognition Tool.

Want to Learn More?

Free BSD Webinar

Demystifying Artificial Intelligence

March 17

To learn more about this, tune into our upcoming webinar on the topic. If you are reading this article after the date of the webinar, no problem! All previously recorded webinars can be found here on our website.

Beyond Blocks: First Steps In Text-based Coding

Posted on February 4, 2022October 4, 2023 by Beth

I first started using the now famous block-based coding application called Scratch in 2012 with version 1.4. I was teaching a summer camp program inside of a makerspace and was teaching students how to make their own maze-style video games. For all of the students, it was their first time trying coding, and most were skeptical that they could make their own game or learn how to code. So I prefaced the class that we would be making something that looked more like Pac-man and less like the modern graphics-intensive games they were used to. Most of the students were impressed with the results of the Scratch environment’s straightforward interface and 2D graphics. All of the students walked away with a cool new video game and a sense of accomplishment because block-based coding was so accessible and easy to use.

Since then, I have used several block-b犀利士 ased coding platforms to help students get started. One thing that has been difficult over the years is to help students transition to text-based programming with languages like JavaScript and Python. The blocks, like Lego, are very intuitive and provide structure for programming. However, a blinking cursor on a blank text-based programming environment is less inviting and less stimulating. Many students are eager to try text-based coding but are intimidated by the process. I have found that the key to this transition lies in three pedagogical practices:

Live Coding
Syntax Learning
Tinkering

Live Coding

Live coding is when you, as the teacher, start to program while verbally explaining every line of code with students while they follow along on their computers, going line by line. While leading students, you can also draw parallels to block-based programming by showing examples of how the programming elements are the same in both environments. The Microsoft MakeCode environment is conducive because it automatically translates block-code to JavaScript or Python.

Syntax Learning

Syntax Learning is when you treat syntax like any other vocabulary learning from a traditional subject. You can have students make vocabulary cards, practice identifying terms and definitions and even play syntax bingo. Any traditional vocabulary exercises also work with coding syntax.

Tinkering

Tinkering is the art of playing around with something until you learn how it works. This approach should be used after students have some general knowledge of the basics, so they don’t feel completely overwhelmed or lost. In Tinkering, failures and mistakes are seen as opportunities to grow and learn because there are no serious objectives.

Even with all three of these pedagogical practices, teaching text-based coding to students may still be challenging, with which only time and practice will make perfect. If you want to deep dive into research-based methods for teaching students to code with a “coding as a second language” approach, I highly recommend the research and tools designed by Felienne Hermans. She has even developed a programming language called Hedy, aimed at teaching students how to code from the perspective of acquiring a new language.

To learn more about this, tune into our upcoming webinar on the topic. If you are reading this article after the date of the webinar, no problem! All previously recorded webinars can be found here on our website.

4 Quick Tips to Get Your Students Hooked to Tech Class

Posted on January 12, 2022November 2, 2022 by Beth

Sometimes, getting our students to feel as excited as we do about tech class can be challenging! You might hear different comments floating around the classroom: “Oh! I can learn to be a hacker!”, “Hm…I am not very good with computers….” “But I don’t want to be a computer programmer!” In my classroom, I have found that contextualization and setting expectations are consistently the most powerful way to get students interested and engaged. The way we contextualize is ever-changing, and here are four things you can bring into your next class!

1. Set the scene

Before each unit, project, and/or topic, set the scene and help your students see the connection to what you teach them and how it relates to the real world. Students become naturally curious and engaged when they see the topic’s relevance in their lives.

What to do: You can ask students where they have seen this type of technology before. Keep your conversation open – there is no “right” or “wrong.”

Skill gain: Critical thinking

2. Set clear expectations

Be transparent about the learning journey and set expectations. Explain to students that this is the beginning of their journey as coders/programmers; during class time, it is the time to explore possibilities together. They may find different areas relatable and appealing in tech; some may have an appetite for design, some are debugging wizards, or some are great entrepreneurs! Having an open mind about programming and how it shows daily will help them stay engaged.

What to do: Take 5 minutes each session to ask students to set a personal learning goal for themselves. Then, get each of them to share. From there, manage expectations and offer ideas for achieving that goal.

Skill gain: Adaptability

3. Make it real!

Keep students engaged during tech class and bring more interactivity to your classroom – this will make YOUR life more manageable.

What to do: Ask students to imagine that they are working at an agency. Put them into pairs or teams. They will be held accountable for each other’s learning throughout the week! For each lesson, allocate at least two stand-up (2-3 minutes sharing sessions) and feedback sessions. You can ask students to do their stand-ups at each lesson’s start, middle, and/or end. Ask students to consider:

What surprised me about the learning?
How might I use this learning in my daily life?
Where do I see the connection of the technology I learned today to my daily life?
What do you like about your team’s work? How might you improve it?
What will I customize in this project?
How would I improve or change this project if I knew how to?

Skill gain: Communication

4. “Am I just copying and pasting code?”

In the early stages of our students’ technology journeys, they may wonder: “I feel like all I am doing is copy and paste – is this really coding?!‘

At the beginning of the school year or semester, explain to students that the tech projects you will do together will teach them fundamental coding and programming concepts. The main focus and objective are for them to understand how the code interacts to create something – our goal is not for them to memorize code! We do not encourage “mindless” copy-and-pasting.

A successful programmer/coder is not defined by how much code they can type. Instead, they are defined by how well they can piece together code effectively.

What to do: Check in often with students and ask them to explain what they have just done to their partner/team.

Skill gain: Creativity

I hope these four tips can excite your tech class and encourage your students to see that tech class is not just about using a computer. Instead, it is a chance to consider technology’s broader perspective and impact and the valuable skills to help them get “future-ready”!