December Tech Tidbit: Hour of Code is Next Week!

Post date: Dec 04, 2019 10:6:6 PM

The Hour of Code started as a one-hour introduction to computer science, designed to demystify "code", to show that anybody can learn the basics, and to broaden participation in the field of computer science. It has since become a worldwide effort to celebrate computer science, starting with 1-hour coding activities but expanding to all sorts of community efforts.

Never tried it? Here's a step by step guide for getting started:

• Choose a tutorial from Code.org and sign up on their website.

• Plan your technology needs.

  • Hour of Code tutorials work on PCs, smartphones, tablets, and some that require no computer at all!

    • Work in pairs. Research shows students learn best with pair programming, sharing a computer and working together. Encourage your students to double up.

    • Go unplugged. We offer tutorials that require no computer at all.

  • Make sure to test tutorials on student computers or devices to ensure they work properly on browsers with sound and video.

• Show an inspiring video or invite someone (speaker, teacher, parent, past student) to talk about the possibilities in computer science.

  • Check out this new video playlist that focuses on creativity from Code.org.

• Direct students to the tutorial and begin coding.

• Remember to share the excitement with families, consider sending this one pager home in an email. Share something with Ashley to include on social media!

A special thanks to Val Buck for writing this up for us to share with you all! As always, let me know if you have questions!

If you want to learn more about technology in the classroom, consider joining our Ed Tech Conference!

Register here or search for #10329 Building Tech Series - Skyline

If you want to plan ahead, I have calendar invites available here. I’m looking forward to seeing a bunch of you for our next Ed Tech Conference Session on Tuesday, December 10!

• Dec. 10: Leveraging Social Media in Your Classroom with Molly Petersen & Gretel von Bargen

• Jan. 21: Nearpod with Ryer Ulland

• Feb. 11: Adobe Spark with Courtney Gilpin

• Mar. 17: Office 365 to the Max with Thai-Hang Nguyen and Jamie Scordino

• Apr. 21: Quizziz with Steve Gillespie

• May 19: TBD

• June 2: TBD