Coding

Technology for STEM Educators: Coding

Participants in this course will learn best practices for integrating coding activities and skills into their curriculum through the use of the coding platforms, Code.org and Scratch. They will apply this knowledge by creating a fully-functional, STEM curriculum-aligned activity that utilizes Scratch to teach coding skills to their students.

Total Sessions: 5 Estimated Hours: 15

Session One | What is Coding? | 2 hrs

Outcomes

• Define coding / programming

• Understand the relationship between computational thinking, computer science, programming, and computing

• Identify the benefits of implementing coding into instructional practice.

Tasks

1. WATCH the What is Coding? video.

2. Complete Activity 1.1 - Resource Review by reviewing each of the following resources on the topic of coding:

a. What is Computer Science? via CSinSF.org

b. VIDEO: Computer Science is Changing Everything via Code.org

c. What is Computer Science and What Do People Do Once They Know It? via Code.org

d. VIDEO: Elementary School Computer Science - PD Video via Code.org

i. Gives a great introduction to CS, code, and more

e. VIDEO: Linda Liukas’ TED Talk: A Delightful Way to Teach Kids about Computers

f. 5 Reasons to Teach Kids to Code Infographic via Kodable

g. Teacher’s Essential Guide to Coding in the Classroom via Common Sense Education

h. Tip Sheet: Get Started with Coding via Common Sense Education

i. 3 Great Ways to Get Students Coding in the Classroom via Common Sense Education

j. What is Computer Science? via CS Unplugged

k. Love Letters for Computers via Hello Ruby

i. A free resource including videos, teaching materials, and a teacher journal to guide educators through the planning of computer science integration into their curriculum

l. How to Get Started Teaching Coding in Any Grade via Edutopia

m. Want to Teach Coding? Here’s Where to Begin via Edutopia

n. 3 Steps to Becoming a Coding Teacher via Edutopia

o. 15+ Ways of Teaching Every Student to Code (Even Without a Computer) via Edutopia

p. Coding in the Classroom via Kathy Schrock’s Guide to Everything

q. VIDEO: What is Code? video via KikivsIT

r. Text-based vs Block-based Coding (Part 1) by Jim Cash

s. VIDEO: What is a Programming Language? via Codecademy

t. Education Research & Insights from Google for Education

3. Complete Activity 1.2 - Journal Response by responding to the following journaling prompt via Google Forms: Coding Journal Response 1a - Shape Summary

a. This activity asks you to use a Shape Summary to reflect on and summarize your thoughts about one of the resources you have reviewed in this lesson. You will be asked to identify the following:

i. 4 things from the article that square with your thinking (you agree with)

ii. 3 new angles or perspectives to consider

iii. question that is left circling your head

Session Two | Coding with Code.org | 3 hrs

Outcomes

• Understand how to use Code.org and describe key features of the platform

• Identify methods for teaching coding using Code.org within K12 classroom settings.

• Complete coding exercises on Code.org in order to demonstrate understanding of the tool

Tasks

1. WATCH the Coding with Code.org video.

2. Create a Code.org account for yourself at this link https://studio.code.org/users/sign_up.

a. Log in to your account so you can follow along with the following demonstration video.

3. WATCH the Code.org Demo video that walks through all the key features of the tool and how to use it.

4. Complete Activity 2.2 - Code.org Tutorial by completing the Classic Maze Tutorial.

a. This tutorial will provide you with a solid introduction to the Code.org platform and how to use it.

b. Follow the tutorial step-by-step until you’ve completed each of the puzzles or components.

5. Complete Activity 2.3 - Code.org Practice by choosing an Hour of Code activity to complete.

a. WATCH the Hour of Code Intro Video

b. SELECT an activity from the Hour of Code library and work your way through it.

c. REFLECT on the activity by responding to the following journaling prompt via Google Forms: Coding Journal Response 2a - Code.org Practice

6. Additional Resources:

a. Getting Started with Code.org

b. VIDEO: Getting Started - Basic Features of Code.org

c. Code.org’s Teacher Portal

d. Getting Set Up for the School Year on Code.org

e. Learn more about Code.org’s curriculum:

i. Elementary:

1. WATCH this video about Code.org’s CS Fundamentals Elementary Curriculum

2. EXPLORE the CS Fundamentals Elementary Curriculum

ii. Middle / High:

5. 1. 1. 1. 1. WATCH this video about Code.org’s CS Discoveries Middle/High Curriculum

            2. EXPLORE the CS Discoveries Middle High Curriculum

iii. High School:

1. WATCH this video about Code.org’s CS Principles High School Curriculum

2. EXPLORE the CS Principles High School Curriculum

f. Code.org Tutorial for Beginners

i. You may also choose to watch this video if you’d like a refresher or need some more review of the site

g. Self-Paced Online Professional Learning for Educators via Code.org

i. Courses available for learning to teach Code.org courses: CS Fundamentals (elementary), CS Discoveries (grades 6-10), CS Principles (grades 9-12), and AI & Machine Learning

h. How to Plan Your Hour of Code via Code.org

Session Three | What is Debugging? | 2 hrs

Outcomes

• Define “debugging”

• Understand why debugging is an essential skill for learning to code

• Review a variety of resources on the importance of debugging as a skill and how to teacher debugging to students

Tasks

1. WATCH the What is Debugging? video.

2. Complete Activity 3.1 - Debugging Practice by working through the Debugging in Maze lesson on Code.org.

3. Complete Activity 3.2 - Resource Review by reviewing each of the following resources on debugging and how to teach debugging to students:

a. VIDEO: Debugging via Kiki Vs IT

b. VIDEO: How to Debug via Code.org

c. PRINTABLE: Debugging Guide via Code.org

4. Complete Activity 3.3 - Journal Response by responding to the following journaling prompt via Google Forms: Coding Journal Response 3a - Debugging Practice.

Session Four | Coding with Scratch | 3 hrs

Outcomes

• Understand how to use Scratch and describe key features of the platform

• Discuss methods for teaching coding using Scratch within K12 classroom settings.

• Complete coding exercises within Scratch in order to demonstrate understanding of the tool

Tasks

1. WATCH the Coding with Scratch video.

2. WATCH TEDTalk: Mitch Resnick, Let’s Teach Kids to Code via TED.com

3. WATCH What is Scratch?

4. Create a Scratch account for yourself at this link https://scratch.mit.edu/join.

a. Log in to your account so you can follow along with the following demonstration video.

5. WATCH the Scratch Basics: Intro to the Scratch Working Environment (Scratch Demo) video that walks through all the key features of the tool and how to use it.

6. Complete Activity 4.2 - Scratch Tutorial by completing the Getting Started Tutorial.

a. This tutorial will provide you a solid introduction to the Scratch platform and how to use it.

b. To access the Getting Started tutorial, select the tutorial from the options found in the top left of the page.

c. The tutorial will pop up near the bottom of the screen overtop the workspace, click the play button to play the accompanying video and then navigate through the steps by clicking the arrow button on the right to go forward, or left to go back a step.

7. Complete Activity 4.3 - Scratch Practice by choosing ONE of the following tutorials to complete to build your own interactive experience in Scratch.

a. Select one of the Scratch tutorials (all are found here):

i. Imagine a World

ii. Create a Story

iii. Make a Chase Game

iv. Make a Clicker Game

v. Animate an Adventure Game

vi. Talking Tales

vii. If you are already familiar with Scratch, you may build your own game or interactive experience outside the tutorials.

b. REFLECT on the activity by responding to the following journaling prompt via Google Forms: Coding Journal Response 4a - Scratch Practice

8. Additional Resources on Scratch:

a. Scratch Educators Info and Resources: https://scratch.mit.edu/educators

b. Scratch is Available in over 40 languages!

i. How do I change the language in Scratch? via Scratch@MIT

ii. Video: Change Language of Scratch

c. Overview of User Interface in Scratch 3 via Adafruit

d. Introduction to Scratch 3 Block Types via Adafruit

e. VIDEO: 3 Great Ways to Get Students Coding in the Classroom via Common Sense Education

f. Scratch in Practice

i. A sub-site that shares ideas and materials from the Scratch Team and educators around the world. Includes resources for the following topics and more: Getting Started with Scratch, Curriculum Connections, Peer Learning, and Projects with a Purpose.

g. “Inspiring Moments with Scratch” videos from Educators

h. VIDEO Series from Kevin Briggs on YouTube (GREAT Starter series!)

i. Scratch 3.0 Tutorial #1: Make Your First Program

ii. Scratch 3.0 Tutorial #2: Make a Game

iii. Scratch 3.0 Tutorial #3: Platform Game

i. Scratch Basics VIDEO Playlist via Pinnguaq on YouTube

j. Freesound.org - Free sounds and music

k. GameArtGuppy.com - free art packs for games

l. VIDEO: Scratch Teacher Tour via Common Sense Education

m. VIDEO: Getting Started with Scratch Teacher Account

n. Scratch Wiki

o. Scratch Tutorials via Scratch

p. Scratch Coding Cards

i. Printable cards with step-by-step instructions for a variety of projects

q. ScratchED

i. A now defunct (but still very useful) online community for educators to share discussions, resources, and stories for teaching with Scratch

ii. Access is still available to the content

r. Intro to Scratch 3.0 Playlist via BootUp PD on YouTube

s. 3 reasons to use Scratch across the curriculum via ISTE

t. Printable Scratch Blocks

i. A full set of printable code blocks from Scratch to use for hands-on learning and exploration

ii. Example of the printables in use by students

u. Scratch Lesson Plans via Common Sense Education

v. YouTube Playlist: Coding and Game Design with Scratch 3 via STEM Center USA

w. Creative Computing Curriculum via Creative Computing Lab at Harvard Graduate School of Education

i. Collection of ideas, strategies, and activities for an introductory creative computing experience using Scratch

x. Google’s CS First Curriculum

i. Free curriculum with videos and lesson plans to introduce students to Scratch

y. Scratch Science Projects via Science Buddies

Session Five | Coding Project | 5 hrs

Outcomes

• Develop a lesson, or activity within a lesson, that implements coding with students

• Articulate where this lesson or activity fits into the STEM curriculum and how it aligns to standards and curriculum goals

• Document the lesson or activity, student engagement with the activity, and use of Scratch in a recorded digital presentation to be submitted

Project Overview

WATCH the Coding Project overview video:

As discussed in the video, there are 3 steps to your final project:

1. Design a lesson plan.

2. Teach your lesson.

3. Submit your lesson plan & a reflection through Google Form.

Please consult the Project Guide document for additional overview information and the Project Rubric.

Integrating Coding into STEM Curriculum

For your final project you are asked to design a lesson plan utilizing Scratch with your students that aligns with your STEM curriculum. You will need to identify where this lesson fits into your STEM curriculum and how it aligns to standards and curriculum goals.

• Lesson plans must be aligned to your STEM curriculum and your school’s preferred standards

  • If you are not working directly with STEM curriculum, you may align to another content area.

Teach Your Lesson

After designing your lesson, you will implement and carry out your lesson plan featuring Scratch with your students.

Lesson Documentation & Reflection

Finally, you will submit documentation of your lesson in the form of a full lesson plan following your school’s preferred template and a reflection on how the lesson went following implementation.

In your reflection, you must address each of these 6 prompts:

1. How does this lesson align with your STEM curriculum? (or other curriculum?)

2. What student outcomes does this lesson address?

3. What standards does this lesson align with?

4. Do you consider this lesson to be a success? Why or why not?

5. What would you do differently next time?

6. Do you plan to carry on using this technology? Why or why not?

Project Submission

Your project will be submitted to us for review in order to receive your CPD credit.

Along with your submission, you will be asked to complete two short surveys to provide feedback on the course and reflect on your experience with the content and measure your new learning and progress with the topic.

Submit your project here: Coding Project Submission Form

Additionally, please take a few minutes to complete the following forms to provide feedback on the course and your experience with the content:

• Course Feedback Form

• Retrospective Pre/Post Survey