#iCONNECT Tech Tips
Friday, April 10, 2015 #EHSRedDevils
Coding Edition
Sphero Arrives at Elkmont!
Sphero fuses technology with robotics, to teach and inspire tomorrow's inventors and innovators. Programming isn't easy, but you don't need to be a rocket scientist to give kids a strong foundation. All you need is a Sphero.
Sphero SPRK lessons give kids a fun crash course in programming while sharpening their skills in math and science. CORE lessons explore the principals of math and science through programming. SPRK begins with MacroLab - a visual programming app. After completing five MacroLab lessons, students will be ready for advanced lessons in OrbBasic - utilizing a powerful app for text-based programming. These lessons align with the national Common Core Curriculum for 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. Each lesson has a step-by-step teacher guide, student guide and worksheet.
To learn more or see complete Teacher Guides, Student Guides and lesson worksheets click HERE.
If you would like to reserve the Spheros (we have two) for your class to do a lesson please contact Ms. Robertson.
Coding: Literacy for the 21st Century
Every era demands--and rewards--different skills.
In different times and different places, we have taught our children to grow vegetables, build a house, forge a sword or blow a delicate glass, bake bread, create a soufflé, write a story or shoot hoops.
Now we are teaching them to code.
Code powers our digital world. Every website, smartphone app, computer programme, calculator and even microwave relies on code in order to operate. This makes coders the architects and builders of the digital age.
Over the next 10 years it is estimated that there will be 1.4 million jobs in computer sciences and only around 400,000 graduates qualified to do them.
Jobs not directly linked to computer sciences - such as banking, medicine and journalism - will also be affected by the need for at least an understanding of programming and coding.
Linda Liukas, co-founder of coding workshop programme Rail Girls, believes that coding is "the literacy of the 21st century" and the need for people to speak the ABC of programming is imminent.
*https://www.edsurge.com/guide/teaching-kids-to-code
*http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/coding-classroom-what-coding-why-it-so-important-1463157
Cool Coding Apps and Websites for Kids
Learning computer programming can help kids develop problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. It also encourages them to be not only consumers of technology but also creators.
The link below contains app and website suggestions that can help teach coding to kids from ages 2-13+. Check some of them out today!
https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/coding-apps-and-websites