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robots
RoboticsSTEM/STEAM

Rocky Mountain Robots #ISTE2016

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

What can I say? When I get to train educators about robotics, life is always good!

I am so excited to be facilitating a hands-on workshop called Build and Program a LEGO Robot on Sunday morning, June 26 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Denver, Colorado. I cannot think of a better way to kick off ISTE 2016. The only way to learn robotics is to do it! Participants will spend the entire three hours of the workshop building and programming a MINDSTORMS EV3 robot. Built into the training will be classroom activities and management tips that will make the robotics program run smoothly.

If you are subject to acute mountain sickness (aka altitude sickness) or won’t be able to make it to ISTE this summer, consider coming to Austin instead in the fall for a learner-driven workshop designed to give you hands-on, minds-on experience with EV3 robotics. Save the date, September 15-16, 2016 on your calendar. Whether you are a novice or experienced educator, this workshop will build your engineering knowledge and skills, establishing a solid foundation in building and programming. Additional topics that will be covered include on-brick programing, classroom management techniques, and EV3 sensor activities which can be modified to fit any grade level.   

Register here for the fall workshop. And look for me at #ISTE2016 this summer!

Featured Image: ISTE 2016 logo.

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Scratch
Coding/Computer ScienceSTEM/STEAM

Easy and Powerful Coding with Scratch

by Peggy Reimers
written by Peggy Reimers

My mom always said that my brother’s handwriting was like chicken scratch. This is true; my brother has incredibly messy handwriting that is nearly impossible to read. He is the only person who can read it easily, and I always have to get out my elementary teacher skills to decode his scrawling. Thankfully, this blog post is about a completely different type of Scratch.

Anybody around the world from age eight to 80 can easily create interactive stories, games, art, music, simulations, and animations with this free, visual programming language. The optimum age targets eight to 16-year-olds and can be found in homes, classroom, schools, museums, libraries, and community centers.

Scratch is available for Mac, Windows, and Linux from this website. It works well in a maker space, computer lab, after-school program, or coding club. And the Scratch community does a wonderful job of providing resources to get both teachers and students up and programming in no time. It’s simple and does not require the teacher to know how to use it.

The interface opens to the project editor, which has six main areas:

  • Stage – the background (where your programming comes alive)
  • Sprites List – people, animals, and objects that will move because of the scripts (the code)
  • Blocks Palette – blocks of code listed in ten categories
  • Scripts Area – drag blocks of code to this area to program
  • Backpack –  allows users to incorporate sprites and sounds easily from previous projects
  • Cursor Tools – duplicate, delete, grow, shrink, and tips

Helpful Scratch Resources to Get You Started

From the homepage, you can:

  • Watch an introduction video (1:37)
  • Test-drive the program
  • See tons of examples
  • Create a free account

Getting Started with Scratch 2.0 (16-page document)

Getting Started with Scratch (In the Project Editor, click on All Tips to access step-by-step tutorials.)

Cards (provides a quick way to learn new Scratch code)

Wiki (Collaboratively-written wiki by Scratchers)

Starter Projects (Make changes and add your own ideas)

Video Tutorials (20+ introductory and paint editor tip videos)

Students who learn to code in Scratch are learning strategies for solving problems, designing projects, and communicating ideas. Throw in thinking creatively, systematical reasoning, and working collaboratively, and you and your students have an educational tool as close to perfection as I have seen in my thirty-one years. And did I mention that the program is free?

Once your students have Scratch under their belts, the natural progression, in my humble opinion, is robotics. Perhaps you are looking to elevate, energize, and empower your classroom with programming? TCEA will offer a three-day workshop, “Mission Possible: LEGO EV3 Robotics in the Classroom,” on June 1-3. Register here.

Featured Image: Created in Scratch by author

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circuit board
Coding/Computer ScienceEducational TrendsRoboticsSTEM/STEAM

Five Paths to an IoT-Powered Learner

by Miguel Guhlin
written by Miguel Guhlin
The Internet of Things (IoT) : a network of physical objects enhanced with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity that give it identity, and allow it to collect and exchange data over the Internet. Experts estimate that the IoT will consist of almost 50 billion objects by 2020. (source: adapted from Wikipedia)
“How cool is that?” asked my son as we walked the freezer aisles at the local Target store. They lighted up as we walked towards them to pick up frozen strawberries and blueberries for protein shake mixes. In the near future, this data will be relayed via the Internet to Target Headquarters, keeping track of the frequency with which thousands of customers access their products. What if learning could be like that with each book/eBook that students reach for feeding data into what was most used or accessed? The real challenge isn’t in that there are so many physical objects (50 billion by 2020) being enhanced. The question is will your children and mine be able to create and control them?
Join the ongoing TCEA Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) SkypeChat via your mobile device or online. Explore and share concepts at the intersection of teaching, learning, leading, and technology!
 
An example of practical uses of the IoT could include “smart” digital highlighters that enable you to highlight paper documents, then transfer highlighted text from the printed page to your favorite repository of data (e.g. Google Docs, Dropbox, OneNote/OneDrive). Or you can scan text with your digital highlighter and it will read the text aloud to you (source). But preparing our children for this “just around the corner” future involves doing more than simply buying IoT devices pre-made.
 
Let’s briefly explore five paths that you can help learners walk to achieve IoT-powered learning:
  1. Embrace the language of things.
  2. Unlock the future with hands-on, digital experiences.
  3. Build digital connections into physical spaces.
  4. Make the future.
  5. Create augmented learning experiences.
Ready? Let’s get started!
 

#1 – Embrace the language of things.

How many of us began learning to play a musical instrument, then stopped because someone said “You know, you’re never going to be that good at it.” At a time when each of us can contribute a small, unique part to a whole concerto or our voices to a global choir, we need to reject that thinking. For IoT, embracing the language of connected objects involves learning to program, or in today’s parlance, code.

 
Many of us have already become familiar with the “HourofCode.org” resources. These resources make it possible for our children to learn programming that is essential to enhancing each physical object. WHY: learn to program so you can have a VOICE in a world where everything is connected to each other. Go back and read that again. We’re not learning to code because it’s popular or because it’s what the President said to do. Rather, we are doing it so we can each have a voice in an interconnected world of things. What will your song be in a world of connected things? Consider the following quote in light of the Internet of Everything:
“Those who cannot claim computers as their own tool for exploring the world never grasp the power of technology… They are controlled by technology as adults–just [as they were]…controlled [by] them as students.” 
(source: Toward Digital Equity: Bridging the Divide in Education Editors: Gwen Solomon, Nancy J. Allen, and Paul Resta)
It should come as no surprise that coding is only the first step. The next is as powerful: interacting with simple computing devices.
 
#2 – Unlock the future with hands-on, digital experiences.
When I purchased my first Raspberry Pi, I was shocked at how simple it was. “What’s the point of working on an under-powered computer?” I said to myself. Still, I soon had it powered up and working. The experience quickly opened my eyes. What learner wouldn’t want to jump into the command line to get this technology to work?
Later, as I observed students during a summer STEM academy with the Raspberry Pi, I realized it was Raspberry Pi’s simplicity that offered a learning opportunity to control devices that are far less powerful than my smartphone, but, when taken together, can do much more. Simple devices that, when combined, enable learners to accomplish great things; just Raspberry Pi and the Internet of Things (IoT). That is the lesson. 
 
And don’t limit yourself to Raspberry Pi. Find what “turns on the light” in your students’ eyes. That can include a plethora of “kits” to get you started (thanks to Nicholas Keith, TexasEdTech Blog, for the list!) such as those listed below:
 
#3 – Build digital connections into physical spaces in your classroom.
As shared in these videos, proximity-aware experiences through iBeacon technology enable you to connect physical objects to digital feedback in ways that are special and unique to each student. These serve as a way to introduce your students to the increasing “other-awareness” of physical objects, like books, a writing center, a technology center in your classroom, or specialized rooms in a library or classroom. Here are some quick ideas for Bluetooth-powered iBeacons in classrooms:
  • Use the beacons as digital bulletin boards for courses or buildings for students.
  • See if a child is in class, keeping better track of when s/he arrived (this can be controversial, though).
  • Teachers can broadcast information about their classes or exams (source: 100 Use Case Scenarios for iBeacon).
  • Applications abound for assisting special needs children (and adults) as they move around campus, accessing physical objects.
 
#4 – Make the future.
If you aren’t familiar with classroom maker spaces, you may want to watch this video introduction from K-3 students. Remember, the focus is on helping students create devices they can program. It’s okay if they aren’t the equivalent of your computer or smartphone, but serve as an introduction to the Internet of Things. Students become makers, persons who create and share. And your classroom can become that space where students learn by doing, creating, and printing. For example, kinder students in Mark Simmons’ school district use iPad apps like TinkerPlay and 123D to design robots and share them via cloud storage. Mark makes them real by 3D-printing kindergarten students’ creations. You can start small, with a maker space in a box or a “MysteryBag,” or pop-up maker spaces, or you can go big with a wealth of ideas online.
Note: Would you like an introduction to maker spaces? Consider attending the day-long TCEA Makers event offered in May, July, and September!
#5 – Create augmented learning experiences.
“Virtual, 3D objects appear,” says Digital Tech Frontier, “in the real world, attached to real objects.” Augmented Reality (AR) enables students to bring reality and the Internet together. (Watch this short video introduction to AR from CommonCraft.) AR offers a real-time view of the physical environment that is supplemented by a computer-generated sensory input that can include video, images, sound, and/or global position system (GPS) data. Students are able to create a real-time, digital view of the world around them using simple but powerful apps like Aurasma, AR Flashcards, AR Toolkit, Crayola Color Live!, Fetch! Lunch Rush!, Quiver, and NASA 3D Spacecraft.
You can see that AR is directly tied to the Internet of Things, such as Daqri’s 4D Studio. Some sample AR experiences include recorded video reviews of content (e.g. books, movies) tagged to the physical object (e.g. book). This makes it possible for students to gain an advanced preview of the object (source). Another possibility could include students explaining how they solved a problem or overcame an obstacle and making that available in the physical space where the problem appears. And getting students designing AR prepares them to create a holographic way, perhaps, using Microsoft Hololens, of interacting with each other. Can you imagine how excited students could be about designing holographic games, such as combining Minecraft with MS Hololens?
 
Intrigued by a path yet?
Worried that this is too technical? Don’t feel bad about getting a late start! One of the benefits of starting down the road after others have begun is that these five paths are clearly marked by those who have gone before you. And remember that your students are eager to share what they learn on this journey with you. Allow yourself and your students the opportunity to become IoT-empowered learners, creators, makers, and collaborators.
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Educational Trends

Tech Trends Heading Your Way

by Dr. Bruce Ellis
written by Dr. Bruce Ellis

This year will be filled with a variety of technology trends that are gaining in popularity. And just because something is popular doesn’t mean that it has valuable implications on education. These trends, however, do provide cause to consider them and how they can enhance teaching and learning. While some may not hit your district this year, they definitely are building momentum in many schools across the nation. Below are our predictions for educational tech trends this year.

  1. CODING – Even if you don’t teach computer science, your students can greatly benefit from the logical thinking and problem solving that is reinforced through coding. Students as young as kindergarten are able to participate thanks to simple apps that start them on the basics. For more information on coding and how you can get started, visit code.org.
  2. BLENDED LEARNING – More and more teachers are looking to see how they can augment their face-to-face time in the classroom with an online platform that allows for learning beyond the walls. Popular terms for blended learning include flipped classroom or flipped learning. You can easily start by using Edmodo or Google Apps for Education.
  3. 3D PRINTING – It seems that everyone wants in on the craze of designing and printing your own object. And with prices falling to less than $350 for a small 3D printer, many teachers are starting to put one on their wish list. Besides having students design and print items that are related to content they are learning about, many are also printing manipulatives to use in their classroom.
  4. VIRTUAL REALITY – No longer is virtual reality confined to hard-core geeks. With Google Cardboard and Expeditions, virtual reality is becoming mainstream and using devices your students may already be bringing to school.
  5. MAKER SPACES – Promoting problem solving and critical thinking is what maker spaces are all about. They may be as simple as a closet with recycled objects or as fancy as a room that would compete with brand-name craft and electronic stores. Either way, teachers are finding out how they can engage their students in fun learning activities with a purpose. Here is a list of sites that include how to get started by creating your own maker space. Or check out our blog about setting one up.
  6. INTERNET OF THINGS – It doesn’t matter if it is a watch, a refrigerator, or your car. If it connects to the Internet, then it is part of the Internet of things. With more ways of being connected, teachers are realizing the growing need to reinforce good digital citizenship even in the early grades since their digital footprints may be started much sooner than they were with us.
  7. ROBOTICS – Once reserved for schools like MIT, USC, and Purdue, robotics has revived many students’ love of learning and given them a realization of 21st century skills that they are really good at. Schools may be introducing it at the high school through Tech Apps courses such as Robotics Programming and Design or even in afterschool clubs using LEGO Mindstorm EV3. TCEA even has statewide robotics competitions for students to demo their talents!
  8. DRONES – A popular novelty that has dropped significantly in price, many districts are now considering how these can be used for instructional purposes in specialized classes as well as considering future jobs that students might be interested in that involve designing, deploying, and managing drones. Learn more in this blog.
  9. WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY – It seems that many teachers (and students!) are getting smart watches that connect with their phone to keep them more in touch with their friends and their online social networks. A few are even starting to add smart rings to their accessories. You can read about a variety of smart rings to learn which might be a best fit for you.
  10. SMARTER, INTERACTIVE TOYS – Apps are evolving to include manipulatives that interact with the device to provide 21st century-style learning that goes beyond just learning the alphabet. Items such as the Osmo, CogniToys, and Ozobot are opening new learning avenues for students.

Which of these trends are happening at your school? Better yet, how are you preparing your students to compete with skills that prepare them for jobs that are just on the horizon? Let us know – we’d like to hear from you!

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