Posts tagged Curriculum
Facilitating Multiple Programming Languages in One Space

This mini session describes considerations for facilitating multiple programming languages in one space. I provide video examples of what it looks like when young coders select from four different programming languages to create projects of interest. Following an overview of what coders created in the classes I designed and facilitated, I discuss considerations for simultaneously facilitating multiple languages; this discussion includes suggestions for selecting and creating resources, questioning techniques, peer-to-peer mentoring, room setup, and more.

Read More
Project-based Learning with Scratch (CSTA 2023)

This presentation begins with an introduction to various approaches to using Scratch for project-based learning; examples include backwards, inquiry-based, and emergent project designs. The second portion of this session is a Q&A with exploration of free Scratch project examples and resources that attendees can implement in their classrooms.

Read More
Interest-driven Computer Science Education?

While the adoption of CS standards will broaden participation in CS education, implementation efforts might unintentionally cause some students to lose interest in CS. This session proposes an alternative approach by questioning what CS education might look like if we designed and facilitated learning experiences that centered student interest.

Read More
Intersections of Popular Musicianship and Computer Science (2022)

Although some popular musicians engage in computer science practices for music-related purposes, such engagement is seldom discussed within music education or CS education discourse. This session begins with an exploration of hardware practices popular musicians use to modify, design, or build electronic devices for their music. I then introduce coding practices to create and modify music software, as well as to compose and perform with code. The session concludes with a discussion that unpacks potential implications and considerations for educators interested in the intersections of popular musicianship and CS practices.

Read More
Engineered Inequality and Rethinking our Relationship to CS

Discussions around the digital divide often revolve around inequalities related to a lack of access to technology or CS education; however, access alone does not create equitable learning experiences. This session unpacks some of the (un)intentionally engineered inequities in CS and encourages a rethinking of how we engage with CS and technology by discussing concepts such as the digital divide, rhizomatic learning, technological determinism, and more. Teachers will walk away with several recommended resources (e.g., articles and books) that further unpacks what is introduced in this session.

Read More
Using a micro:bit with Scratch (2022)

Absolute beginners are invited to experience a differentiated physical computing and computer science classroom that meets learners where they are. Utilizing Scratch and micro:bits, participants will self-select into interest-based groups to begin creating a project that deepens their own understanding of physical computing and computer science education.

Read More
Integrating CS && Music in K-8

This exploratory mini session explores hardware practices popular musicians use to modify, design, or build electronic devices for their music. I then introduce coding practices to create and modify music software, as well as to compose and perform with code. The mini session concludes by sharing a variety of resources for diving deeper and having an open Q&A about the intersections of popular musicianship and CS practices.

Read More
Intersections of Popular Musicianship and Computer Science (2021)

Although some popular musicians engage in computer science practices for music-related purposes, such engagement is seldom discussed within music education or CS education discourse. This session begins with an exploration of hardware practices popular musicians use to modify, design, or build electronic devices for their music. I then introduce coding practices to create and modify music software, as well as to compose and perform with code. The session concludes with a discussion that unpacks potential implications and considerations for educators interested in the intersections of popular musicianship and CS practices.

Read More
Using a micro:bit to Differentiate Learning in Scratch

Absolute beginners are invited to experience a differentiated physical computing and computer science classroom that meets learners where they are. Utilizing Scratch and micro:bits, participants will self-select into interest-based groups to begin creating a project that deepens their own understanding of physical computing and computer science education.

Read More
Moving Beyond Sequential Learning

Sequential learning within computer science classes often assumes an interest in CS or uses external rewards and punishments to motivate students to participate. Such an approach rarely takes into account the individual interests of students who may be required to participate and could cause some students to lose interest in CS. This session challenges the design of sequential learning by modeling and unpacking an approach that centers students' interests in learning. This session will alternate between discussion and participation that begins by problematizing sequential learning, models and discusses options for incorporating choice in CS classes, and then models and discusses what a CS classroom could look like if it were designed around student-interest.

Read More
Project-based Learning with Scratch (CSTA 2021)

This presentation begins with an introduction to various approaches to using Scratch for project-based learning; examples include backwards, inquiry-based, and emergent project designs. The second portion of this session is an interactive exploration of free Scratch project examples and resources that attendees can implement in their own elementary and middle school classrooms.

Read More
Culturally Relevant Elementary Computer Science Curriculum on the Wind River Reservation

Fort Washakie, Fremont County School District #38, and Wyoming Indian Schools, are partnering to develop a curriculum that integrates Computer Science education standards with Indian Education for All standards. The project goal is to increase teachers’ self-efficacy for teaching computer science standards and increase pedagogical and content knowledge.

Project members will share how their teams are developing, piloting, and refining curriculum units that integrate computer science with Indian Education for All standards in their unique school communities. We’ll discuss our process as well as hear from educators about successes and challenges so far.

This is a partnership with American Institutes for Research, the WY Department of Education, and the nonprofit BootUp and funded by the National Science Foundation’s CSforAll RPP.

Read More
The Wind River Elementary computer Science Project: Integrating CS Education Standards with Indian Education for All Standards

Fort Washakie, Fremont County School District #38, and Wyoming Indian Schools, are partnering to develop a curriculum that integrates Computer Science education standards with Indian Education for All standards. The project goal is to increase teachers’ self-efficacy for teaching computer science standards and increase pedagogical and content knowledge. This is a partnership with American Institutes for Research, the WY Department of Education, and the nonprofit BootUp and funded by the National Science Foundation’s CSforAll RPP. Project members and representatives from schools will share how their teams are developing, piloting, and refining curriculum units that integrate computer science with Indian Education for All standards in their unique school communities. We’ll discuss our process as well as hear from educators about successes and challenges so far.

Read More
Integrating Computer Science into the Elementary Curriculum - Wind River Reservation

The Wyoming Department of Education, in collaboration with American Institutes for Research, three Wyoming school districts on the Wind River Reservation, and BootUp PD are writing, piloting, and refining a curriculum that integrates computer science with the WY Indian Education for All social studies standards in culturally relevant ways. Representatives from the districts will share their approach, an update on the project, and lessons learned.

Read More
Beyond a Digital Divide: Engineered Inequality and Rethinking Our Relationship to Technology

Discussions around the digital divide often revolve around inequalities related to a lack of access to technology; however, access alone does not create equitable learning experiences. This session unpacks some of the (un)intentionally engineered inequities in technology and encourages a rethinking of how we engage with technology.

Read More
Intersections of Popular Musicianship and Computer Science (CSTA)

Although some popular musicians engage in computer science practices for music-related purposes, such engagement is seldom discussed within music education or CS education discourse. This session begins with an exploration of hardware practices popular musicians use to modify, design, or build electronic devices for their music. I then introduce coding practices to create and modify music software, as well as to compose and perform with code. The session concludes with a discussion that unpacks potential implications and considerations for educators interested in the intersections of popular musicianship and CS practices.

Read More
Using a micro:bit with Scratch

Absolute beginners are invited to experience a differentiated physical computing and computer science classroom that meets learners where they are. Utilizing Scratch and micro:bits, participants will self-select into interest based groups to begin creating a project that deepens their own understanding of physical computing and computer science education.

Read More
Project-based Learning with Scratch (Constellations)

This presentation begins with an introduction to various approaches of project-based learning with Scratch; for example, backwards, inquiry-based, and emergent project designs. The second portion of this session is an interactive exploration of free Scratch project examples and resources I have developed.

The purpose of this session is twofold: a) provide an introduction to different types of project-based learning (e.g., backwards, inquiry-based, and emergent design) and how they lie on the project continuum (i.e., fixed, flexible, or open), and b) to give time to allow attendees to explore the free project-based resources I have created for Scratch. Everyone will walk away with dozens of lesson plans and resources to get them started with project-based learning with Scratch.

Read More
Blurring Disciplinary Boundaries through Chiptunes

My portion of this panel session begins with a brief discussion on the broad landscape of music engagement as it relates to video games (e.g., music engagement within, through, and around video games). I then dive deeper into the potential for such engagement to blur disciplinary boundaries across multiple disciplines. As a main example, I discuss how chipmusicians might engage in computer science, entrepreneurial, and visual art practices for music-related purposes. Such engagement raises questions for the field of education and demonstrates an underexplored potential evident within the intersections of music, video games, and education.   

Read More