Tag:

coding

Codeate with Minecraft Coding Projects

by Miguel Guhlin February 25, 2018

written by Miguel Guhlin

Ready to leave a path of petals in your wake? Do you like chickens flying from the sky? Then you may be experiencing Minecraft coding goodness. Teachers in TCEA Area 2 (Corpus Christi, Texas) laughed as they learned to code. How did they make coding possible? They relied on Minecraft: Education Edition‘s built-in support for coding tools. Let’s take a quick look at those and see what’s available.

Check Your Readiness

Let’s review the checklist of what is needed to begin.

Windows 10 computer?
Minecraft: Education Edition license?
External mouse?
Ready to have fun coding?

Getting started with coding need not be impossible. Microsoft’s Minecraft revision makes it easier to create with code. Participants in my session embraced frustration. They accepted failure as an opportunity to grow and learn. Now that you have checked your fixed mindset about failure being bad at the door, so to speak, we are ready to go.

Code Connection for Minecraft

A final component needed is Code Connection for Minecraft, a free download. Code Connection makes it easy to transfer your code from the tool (e.g. Tynker, Scratch) to Minecraft. Here’s a visual walkthrough of how to get connected.

codeate
Once you have copied the connect code to put into Minecraft, switch to Minecraft:
codeate

To establish the connection, press [ENTER] on your keyboard or click the button with the right arrow on it shown on screen.

codeate

Once you have success in the connection to the Code Connection, you will see the various editors available (e.g. Code.org, Make Code, Scratch, Tynker). You may want to minimize your Minecraft: Education Edition window so you can see both of them on the screen. Note that you can switch between the two programs using Alt-Tab on your Windows 10 device.

I Create with Code, So I Codeate

A portmanteau of the words “code” and “create,” students and teachers can now create in virtual space. Instead of arcane characters typed into a text window, students can now realize their vision through graphics. Let’s explore various ways to create with code. Ideas appear with short website excerpts below.

Minecraft: Education Edition offers several ways to begin coding. Let’s take a look at two to start with.

Tool #1: Tynker

With Tynker, you have access to a rich variety of tutorials. These tutorials help you, step by step, to achieve success. Tynker relies on block coding, an approachable tool to use for beginners. This serves as an easy entry point for teachers learning to use coding in their classroom.

codeate

Tynker does the heavy lifting, keeping the fun in the creative process. The goal is to introduce students to Minecraft mod creation with Tynker. A variety of tutorials keeps learning fresh and exciting.

codeate

Tool #2: MakeCode

Ready to embark on deeper learning? Microsoft has provided a MakeCode curriculum appropriate for grades 6-8 that offers projects and tutorials specifically designed for students.. MakeCode works in a variety of settings and relies on both block and text editors, so what students learn is usable beyond Minecraft. This makes it ideal for learners at different levels. And, like Creative Coding Through Games and Apps (CCGA), it is a course written for teachers new to computer science or those who have never taught it.

The curriculum includes access to materials two formats. The first is the universal HTML (web page). The second, more valuable, is the OneNote Notebook format. Here, students learn about events, coordinates, variables, iteration, conditionals, functions, arrays, and more.

codeate

There is a final project that looks something like this:

You and your Agent are setting off on an adventure. You can only program four tools to take with you. What would you take? Create a backpack of tools that any Minecraft adventure would need.

MakeCode and Micro:bit

Microsoft’s commitment to MakeCode means that you not only see MakeCode working on Minecraft, but also with the Micro:bit. You’ll want to read this blog entry about 3D Printing and the Micro:bit to see more resources, but one announcement worth sharing now is that you can find an entire curriculum for Micro:bit available for free.

Codeate for Success

Ready to start on your own great Minecraft coding journey? Become Minecraft: Education Edition certified through this online course. You can also request an onsite workshop.

Update: This blog was updated with additional resources on 4/5/2018.

February 25, 2018 0 comments

Coding/Computer Science

Hour of Code at the Texas Capitol

by Jennifer Bergland December 17, 2017

written by Jennifer Bergland

On December 4, 2017, students came to the Texas State Capitol for the first Hour of Code held on the floor of the Texas Code House of Representatives. Students from Richardson, San Antonio, Austin, Pflugerville, Spring Branch, Leander, Hays County, and Lufkin came to the Capitol to demonstrate the different ways students gain coding experience in their elementary, middle, and high schools. They also came to teach state legislators and their staff members how to write their first line of code.

Code The Hour of Code is a national effort to help demystify computer coding and broaden participation in the field of computer science. The official Hour of Code takes place each year during Computer Science Education Week, which is held December 4-10. The Hour of Code at the Capitol was hosted by the University of Texas at Austin’s WeTeach CS project, TCEA, TechNet, and CS4TX to help promote the need for more support for computer science education in Texas schools.

Hands On Coding

The legislators and their staff had great fun learning how to program a robot from Pflugerville ISD middle school code students and listened to some San Antonio elementary students read a story they wrote, as their pre-programmed robots acted out the plot line. In fact, there were a variety of different robots roaming about the floor of the chamber, including: Lego, Sphero, Dot and Dash, Makeblock, Mircobits, and Ozobots. One of the participant’s favorite activities was test driving the code written for a virtual reality experience by the Richardson ISD high school students.

Several teachers who brought students to the event had recently participated in the University of Texas’ We Teach CS program which is aimed at assisting inservice teachers in obtaining a computer science teaching certification. These teachers currently teach science, view computer science as a natural complement to their curriculum, and are looking for ways to help students learn to code as they learn science.

Exploring the Job Market

Code The students also got to hear what it takes to work at Facebook, Google, and Uber. Representatives from these companies spoke to the students over pizza and soft drinks. They highlighted the benefits of working in the tech industry and what it takes to land a job at one of these three companies. It won’t be long before these students will be polishing their resumes and knocking on their doors. The likelihood of these students getting jobs is strong since there are currently over 40,000 unfilled high-tech jobs in Texas. And yet, only 3 percent of high school students took a computer science course last school year.

Strategies to Increase Enrollment in CS

Code This is why this day was so important. Educating policy makers on the benefits of computer science is critical to enacting policies that can effectively change the dismal statistics. Some of the strategies to increase the opportunities for students to gain computer science skills are:

Develop a comprehensive plan to expand K-12 computer science education statewide.
Incentivize school districts to offer computer science courses. Computer science and technology applications courses should be placed under the umbrella of Career and Technical Education (CTE) to unlock weighted funding through the CTE allotment.
Invest in professional development programs to train a corps of teachers to lead these courses. The key to this effort will be providing additional funding for computer science certification grant programs.

Code

For more information about hosting an Hour of Code at your school or district (or city hall, county court house, etc.), check out this blog post. You can host an Hour of Code anytime. Happy coding!

December 17, 2017 0 comments

Coding/Computer Science STEM/STEAM

STEM Coder: Future Ready Learning

by Miguel Guhlin December 12, 2017

written by Miguel Guhlin

Are you ready for a STEM future? This morning as I listened to the local news, KSAT12 in San Antonio, Texas, the newscast highlighted the importance of STEM. Texas school districts like Bryan ISD, Crosby ISD, Killeen ISD, and Little Elm ISD are embracing STEM programs in their districts. In addition, there are female-friendly programs for enhancing learning through the STEM subjects, such as Women in Science Endeavors (WISE) in Amarillo. Let’s take a closer look why STEM learning is important and what we can do about it as educators.

The Stats

No matter where you look, blending STEM into classrooms is critical. Consider these sources:

In 2015, there were nearly 8.6 million STEM jobs in the United States. That number is growing every year. In fact, STEM job growth in the past 10 years is three times that of any other field; but by 2018, it is projected that 2.4 million STEM jobs will go unfilled. (Source: eSchool News)

Or, as quoted in this STEM guidebook, The Big Guide to STEM, compiling multiple data points:

STEM professions earn 26% more than non-STEM professions.
There are 26 million STEM jobs in the United States.
Twenty percent of all US jobs are STEM-based jobs.
STEM occupations are projected to grow faster than the average for all occupations and wages in these occupations were generally higher than the median for all occupations.

As amazing as those statistics are, the statistics relevant to girls/women in STEM are even more so:

Women make up less than 25% of the workforce in STEM professions.
Seventy-four percent of middle school girls express interest in STEM yet…
Only 0.4% of high school girls choose to pursue STEM in college.

These numbers mask an unsettling truth. Growth in STEM is primarily in the technology sector, focused on programming (a.k.a. coding).

STEM Coder

As cited by the New York Times, “In the decade ending in 2024, seventy three percent of STEM job growth will be in computer occupations,” such as coding, cloud computing, data mining, statistical analysis, and writing smartphone applications.

Becoming a STEM Coder

What does it take to become a STEM coder? If you examine the numerous Hour of Code resources and tutorials, it will take introducing students at an early age to coding tools. You can find a list of TCEA Hour of Code resources. To reach a more diverse set of potential coders, you will need to embrace more than just math and science.

STEM skills development needs to be introduced and encouraged earlier in children’s education, the panelists agreed. However, success in the digital economy requires more than ramping up STEM capabilities — it requires participation from people with a variety of backgrounds, skillsets, and perspectives…Rather than confine innovation the way it has always been, “what you really need to do is get people with diverse opinions in a room with diverse education and skills in a room to brainstorm, and figure out how to best solve the problem and be creative,” said Abrams. “If you’re gonna get diverse skills and interests and backgrounds that ultimately means diverse people need to be in that room. That’s a key challenge.”(source)

Specific observations from research for helping students, including girls, become coders include the following:

Make coding a creative and collaborative activity: Some suggestions for making this happen include having students using Minecraft: Education Edition’s built-in coding tools, working together to control drones using the iOS Tynker app, or introducing them to coding with Hopscotch.
Teach computational thinking: This is a future-ready skill. Learn more about computational thinking and teaching algorithms; you may know more than you think.
Add real-world problem solving: Check out project-based or problem-based learning resources available.

STEM Improves Test Grades

If STEM was not a worthy goal in and of itself, rest assured that it also improves performance on high stakes tests. “Standardized assessments revealed that students who used PBL by Defined STEM outperformed their peers by over +5 points,” reports MIDA Learning Technologies.

I Want to Help Students Become STEM Coders

If you want to assist students of all ages become STEM coders, then I invite you to attend the 2019 TCEA STEM Academy. Indicate your interest with this online form. This learning event will maximize STEM results for your students.

December 12, 2017 0 comments

Robotics STEM/STEAM

STEM Tools, DIY Projects, and Toys

by Miguel Guhlin December 10, 2017

written by Miguel Guhlin

Looking for STEM tools and toys for young learners? In this blog entry, we explore some highly-rated toys and tools. We also discuss inspiring girls to get into STEM, Do It Yourself STEM projects, and video ideas. Designed to heighten STEM learning experiences for youngsters, each may be worth investigating further.

The Rationale for STEM Tools and Toys

Many future jobs require STEM skills. One approach for accomplishing that involves providing young learners with STEM tools and toys.

Beth Holloway, director of the Women in Engineering Program at Purdue University, says toys that help children figure out how to turn their ideas into reality – toys that let them design and build something, for instance – are a great first step in inspiring them to consider a STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) career. “Toys like that will help children realize that they can make an impact on the world through their ideas,” she says. (source)

Holloways points out that STEM tools/toys can have an impact on young women, too. “Parents need to provide girls with toys that indulge their feminine side, but also those that allow them to feel the sense of accomplishment that comes from designing and building something,” says Holloway. Let’s remember, though, that most STEM jobs are focused in the coding area. To engage girls, STEM activities need to 1) Make coding as a creative and collaborative activity; 2) Teach computational thinking; and 3) Add real-world problem solving (source).

Engaging Young Women

Want to inspire girls with real life stories from STEM women? Introduce them to the 1,000 STEM Women project. The goal of the project is to provide an easy-to-access resource for K-12 learners that makes meeting amazing female STEM role models possible. Take a look at Engineer Girl for more inspiring women engineers sharing their stories.

Here are some examples from the 1,000 STEM Women Project:

From Left to Right: Rachel | Emily | Raychelle

Ready to explore some STEM tools and toys? Let’s get started with some Pinterest Do It Yourself (DIY) projects.

DIY STEM Projects

“Where did you get your idea for that project?” I asked a second grade teacher who was sharing a STEM project at a San Angelo, Tx TCEA area conference. “Pinterest!” she replied with a smile. “I find most of my ideas there.” To be honest, it had never occurred to me to look on Pinterest. Yet you can find many DIY STEM projects appropriate for home or classroom there. Here are my top five favorite Pinterest boards:

STEM Videos for the Do It Yourself-er

You can also combine DIY projects with a video, similar to the updated versions of the practical learning Mr. Wizard television show introduced to some of us in our younger years. Who wouldn’t want to make their own electromagnet? Now you can catch videos via Instagram, too. Some of my favorite science-focused Instagram images and/or videos include:

Physics Fun (@physicsfun)
STEMkids (@stemkids)
Planetary Society (@planetarysociety)
Exploratorium (@exploratorium)

Why not create your own Instagram sharing space? Or explore YouTube for STEM DIY projects, such as these from Lanakila Malua, Brittany Hogan, and Red Ted Art. You can find even more project ideas in video form. Check out Curiosity Machine, Exploratorium Video, and PBS Design Squad Videos (requires Flash).

STEM Activity Idea: Create Short Instagram Videos as a Student STEM Challenge by Ben Newsome
With a point of the camera and using some simple content creation apps, your students could be documenting the science experiments, challenges, and questions that are raised in your classroom for other classes to learn from, plus they’re a good reflection tool in their own right. By using InstagramTM as the medium, you could set a science communication challenge to your students whereby they have to explain a given concept to their peers. You could run this as a competition across your school in a similar way to Alan Alda’s Flame Challenge, whereby people from around the world compete to create a compelling explanation of a science topic that an 11-year-old could find interesting and entertaining (eg. What is energy?).

If you have your own Pinterest board or curated list, why not share it? More on how to share at the end of this blog entry.

STEM Tools and Toys

These toys and tools present various approaches. Often, parents and teachers are looking for “turnkey” solutions or kits. There are many kits that can be used in a home or classroom setting. Here are my top three favorite tools and/or toys, along with links to websites where you can find more ideas. What would you add or include that I haven’t?

Sunprint ($11.59): “The SunPrint Solar Paper lets you makes beautiful pictures by placing objects on the paper and exposing it to the sun. The paper undergoes a chemical change. The Sunprint paper can be used for a creative, solar art project,” says the Amazon description.
Cubetto ($222.95): TCEA’s Ashley Weiler introduced me to Cubetto. Montessori-approved, this is a “coding toy for girls and boys ages 3 and up. It takes coding out of the screen and into the real world with a programming language you can touch. Children help Cubetto, a friendly wooden robot, navigate a magical world by writing their first programs using hands-on coding blocks.”
Tynker app + Parrot Mambo Minidrone ($): Learning to code with algorithms (sets of instructions that are repeated to automate and simplify coding) is fun with the Tynker app (Android/iOS) and the Mambo drone. Learners can “experience the thrill of flight and accomplishment as they learn to program Parrot drones using Tynker’s intuitive visual programming language. Children can pilot drones through extreme maneuvers, grasping objects and flying aerial combat missions, all with the power of code.”

Helping young children build a strong foundation in coding can build key future ready skills. What’s more, you can encourage participation in the annual STEM Video Game Challenge for middle and high school students.

Want to explore some more?

Check out these various sites recommending STEM tools and toys. Don’t forget, TCEA is curating a STEM-focused padlet with many more resources. Share your favorite STEM ideas, tools, toys and websites in this Padlet.

December 10, 2017 0 comments

Digital Literacy Technology Applications

Gearing Up for TCEA 2018 with Learning.com

by Guest Blogger December 5, 2017

written by Guest Blogger

As the end of the year draws near, we start to look ahead at what we have coming up in 2018. We’re excited that Learning.com will once again return to Austin, Texas in February for the annual TCEA Convention & Exposition. For TCEA 2018, we’ll be at Booth #917 and will host a variety of info sessions. Here’s a sneak peak of what you can expect:

Keyboarding

Prepare students with this TA-TEKS Standards for Students-aligned curriculum that includes direct instruction, guided practice, application exercises, and quizzes. Students will master proper touch-typing techniques and effectively use word processing tools in real-world situations.

Online Safety and Digital Citizenship

Equip students with the skills they need to stay safe online, determine what information is credible on the internet, and make informed decisions. This positive, research-based approach helps educators take on tough issues such as cyberbullying and helps encourage students to be aware and safe online.

Coding and Computational Thinking

Introduce students to coding concepts with EasyTech’s Computational Thinking lessons which help them develop a foundation in cognitive skills and problem-solving processes needed to be successful in coding and core subject areas. Through EasyCode, students learn to code by solving challenges and work towards building their own apps and games.

Business Applications

Provide students with an understanding of spreadsheets, word processing, presentations, and more. These business applications are presented in a generic software environment to help prepare your students for the demands of the digital economy and variety of business applications they may be exposed to in high school, college, and the workforce.

ISTE-Aligned Digital Literacy Assessments

We’re excited to showcase our Digital Literacy Assessments at our booth. These assessments help districts gain practical insight into how well students comprehend digital literacy concepts. They are aligned to the 2016 ISTE Standards for Students and provide the real-time data needed to make informed decisions and ensure students are prepared for success.

Adaptive Keyboarding Instruction Is as Easy as 1…2…3…

Our Director of Education Jeff Meyer will be presenting a showcase on Wednesday, February 7, 2018 at 9:15 am in Room M1 at the Austin Convention Center. Learning.com’s Adaptive Keyboarding solution gives students a series of prescriptive pathways that adapt to their individual needs as they complete a combination of keyboarding practices. There are engaging gamification elements and teachers can create their own guided practices to provide students customized keyboarding practice that the teacher has chosen and created.

Will you be attending the TCEA Convention & Exposition this February? If so, we hope to see you in Austin. Sign up for an info session and reserve your spot now!

This is a sponsored blog post written by Jessica Hesselgrave, a blogger for our media partner Learning.com.

December 5, 2017 0 comments

minecraft on smartphone screen held by a hand

Coding/Computer Science Microsoft Professional Learning STEM/STEAM

TCEA’s New Minecraft Certification Course

by Miguel Guhlin October 25, 2017

written by Miguel Guhlin

Interested in using Minecraft: Education Edition as an effective instructional tool with students? Ready to learn critical future world skills for virtual world construction? Check out TCEA’s newest certification course, Minecraft: Education Edition Certification (Level 1).

Minecraft certification course

In this self-paced, online course, you’ll have the freedom to learn at your own speed with up to a year to complete the certification. Most educators who enroll, however, complete it within a few weeks. And the course, which counts for 18 CPE hours, is only $99 for TCEA members and $148 for non-members (includes a one-year membership).

Microsoft Certification Course Pricing and Discounts

Bulk discounts are also available for campuses and districts. You only need to enroll seven or more staff members at one time to obtain the discount. Email Bruce Ellis for more details on bulk discounts. To find out more about this certification, visit this website.

Minecraft in the Classroom

Learning Minecraft: Education Edition will enable you to show others how to use Minecraft as an educational tool.

But wait, there’s more! Learning the basics of Minecraft: Education Edition will also open coding possibilities for students. As shared in this announcement “Minecraft has added a Code Connection companion app which allows teachers and students to use…either the visual block-based editor, or the JavaScript editor, to build programs.” These programs make it possible to spawn animals, construct buildings, and more.

Start Your Journey of the Imagination

Register for the TCEA Minecraft: Education Edition Certification (Level 1).

October 25, 2017 0 comments

STEM/STEAM

Getting Up to Speed With Drones

by Miguel Guhlin September 6, 2017

written by Miguel Guhlin

Interested in expanding the use of drones in your school? Keep students and teachers engaged with the many different opportunities available, whether you are skydiving from a drone, a school adopting drones to monitor campuses, or taking aerial photographs of real estate. In this blog entry, we’ll explore some of the legal information you need to know, as well as ideas and stories of how drones are being used for education.

1. What’s the legal information you need to know?

As of May 2017, drones no longer have to be registered. This alleviates some of the many requirements that were in place prior to the legal ruling. Previously, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) required the following:

Follow the law for all Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)
Decide if your drone meets the registration requirements. All aircraft that weigh more than 0.55 pounds, or 250 grams, and less than 55 pounds, or 25 kilograms, must be registered. This also includes any added payloads, such as an onboard camera.
Register your drone ($5). All newly purchased or made drones must be registered before their first flight. You will need to file your name, home address, and your email address as a start. Then you will get a Certificate of Aircraft Registration as well as Proof of Ownership. These will include an identification number for your aircraft. You must have this number displayed on your drone at all times. The number will be valid for up to three years. You must be at least 13 years old in order to register.
Not sure if you need to register your drone? Check on this chart (PDF) or maybe this one from Wired. More info here about Texas laws regarding drones.

You can research more information about Texas laws regarding drones online. Isn’t it great all that can be avoided?

2. How will you use drones in the classroom?

If you are considering how to bring drones into your classroom, you may want to start with a simple question: “What are the learning opportunities with this technology?” Here are two options that others have chosen when planning drone use for learning:

1. Block coding for drone control
2. Engaging in problem-based learning

Depending on your choice, there are various approaches you can take to achieve these goals.

Option 1 – Block Coding of drones

You can use several apps to program, or create block code, to control drones. The ultimate goal is not learning to fly a drone, but rather, learning to code well enough to control flight and options. Some block coding tools include:

A few notes:

The Tickle app only supports ground-based drones. See list.
Tynker enables you to control a variety of the machines as actors. The main drone is the Parrot Mambo.

Update 05/07/2019:

Another drone to explore is the Ryze Tello drone. The Tello drone is compatible with the MIT-developed coding software, Scratch.

Option 2 – Engaging in Problem-Based Learning (PBL)

In this option, students use regular drones to solve real-world problems or simulations. Here are a few PBL ideas for using drones gathered from the web.

Program a drone to fly over a disaster scene made of Lego structures, thus learning simultaneously about the concepts of flight and disaster management.
Use drones as part of a high-tech bowling game, learning math skills through scorekeeping.
Power a Santa-driven drone to fly high above makeshift chimneys and drop tiny wrapped gifts down their lengths (or deliver emergency supplies to disaster victims).
Simulate natural movements programming them to crawl up walls and even across ceilings as they learn both natural and technological science. (source)
Observe a drone and graph its movement on a distance time graph.
Use drones to capture aerial views of parking lots.
Reconstruct collisions at accident scenes
Seek out evidence at crime scenes
Assess structural damage to buildings after a natural disaster.
Use drones to check for signs of arson.
Locate intruders in and around a location.

Some additional drone projects include the following:

Teach laws of physics with the help of drones. Get students to calculate how long it will take the drone to cross a certain distance (Speed=Distance/Time) or how the wind influences the drone’s path.
Use drones to help students understand cell structure by making a large scale model and then zoom in and out to show individual parts and the larger structure.
In a physical education class, use a drone to record children as they play a certain sport and later analyze what they can do to improve their moves.
Play hide-and-seek. Instruct the children to go and hide while you try to find them with the help of the drone.

3 – How will students or staff obtain drone certification?

drones

Some Texas districts are seeking to get their students drone certified as pilots. For students like Ryan Felner (shown above), it can be a money-making journey fraught with learning opportunities. Read his story online. It’s safe to say that many students may wish to take advantage of these new job opportunities.

Here are a few courses for getting certified in drone flight:

DartDrones – Drones for Beginners online course
Drone Schools List and Drone Schools in Texas
North Texas Drone User Group (Plano, TX)
Central Texas Drone User Group (San Antonio, TX)
South Texas Drone User Group (Houston, TX)

Want to learn more? Check out these links below.

September 6, 2017 0 comments

two women working on an engineering project

Coding/Computer Science Professional Learning STEM/STEAM

Get Your Computer Science Certification

by Miguel Guhlin June 19, 2017

written by Miguel Guhlin

“Only forty percent of U.S. schools offer computer science courses with programming,” says Dr. Carol Fletcher, Deputy Director of the Center for STEM Education. She also shares some additional facts worth listening to. Want to get computer science certified? Seize this opportunity before it expires in December 2017. What’s more, WeTeach_CS offers a free self-paced online course with the option to earn college credit for $99 more.

Thanks to the support of the Texas Education Agency (TEA), WeTeach_CS is extending the Certification Incentive Program (CIP) through December of 2017! This means current Texas teachers planning to take the TExES CS 8-12 Certification Test during any of the four remaining 2017 testing windows may be eligible for for the Certification Incentive Program (CIP), which offers a $1,000 stipend to accepted teachers who obtain their CS certification.

Requirements for Teachers

Are you eligible for the Certification Incentive Program? You have to meet the following conditions to receive the CIP stipend:

Be pursuing a TEA certification in Computer Science 8-12.
Not already be certified in Computer Science or Computer Information Systems (any level).
Be currently certified to teach in Texas or enrolled in an approved teacher certification program for Texas.

There are also deadlines to meet and documents to gather.

Necessary Documents

Required documents include your Texas Driver’s license, TEA Certification Information, and a letter from a school administrator on official letterhead. The letter should confirm your employment as a teacher or your enrollment in a teacher preparation program. If you are certified but not working for a school, the letter is not required. Finally, you will need the completed and signed Payee Information Form and Assurances Form.

Deadlines

As with any program, there are deadlines. These deadlines are based on the testing window that you select. Applications to test are accepted through December 2017. Deadlines (source) include the following:

June (6/28/17-7/1/17) Testing Window Deadlines:

CIP Application due: 6/22/17, 5pm
TExES Test Registration deadline: 6/26/17
Proof of CS Certification due: 8/11/17, 5pm

August (8/16/17-8/19/17) Testing Window Deadlines:

CIP Application due: 8/10/17, 5pm
TExES Test Registration deadline: 8/14/17
Proof of CS Certification due: 9/15/17, 5pm

October (10/4/17-10/7/17) Testing Window Deadlines:

CIP Application due: 9/28/17, 5pm
TExES Test Registration deadline: 10/2/17
Proof of CS Certification due: 11/14/17, 5pm

December (12/6/17-12/9/17) Testing Window Deadlines:

CIP Application due: 12/1/17, 5pm
TExES Test Registration deadline: 12/1/17
Proof of CS Certification due: 1/18/18, 5pm

Need More Information on Computer Science Certification?

If you need more information, you may want to read this post.

June 19, 2017 0 comments

Coding/Computer Science Educational Trends Microsoft

Creating Worlds of Tomorrow: Microsoft Update

by Miguel Guhlin May 2, 2017

written by Miguel Guhlin

“To predict the future, invent it,” said Alan Kay. The quote perfectly describes Microsoft’s successful May 2, 2017 event, Learn What’s Next , and some of the innovative teaching and learning possibilities Microsoft has created. Let’s take a moment to quickly review what those updates are and how they approach creating worlds of tomorrow. You can also watch the event on demand and follow the buzz via the Twitter hashtag, #MicrosoftEDU.

Innovation #1 – $189 New Windows 10 Education PCs and Software

Photo Credit: @Surface

Creating worlds of tomorrow involves new technologies, including 3D ways of looking at the real and virtual world. Microsoft announced a new version of Windows 10 known as Windows 10 S, where the S represents security, simplicity, and superior performance. Paired with an offer available for all schools, Windows 10 S is free for installation on current Windows Pro PCs. If you need apps that are not in the Windows Store, you can still get them if you have Windows Pro on your device. Microsoft Intune for Education, an easy way to manage Windows PCs, is also now available and will make it easier for district IT staff to manage the devices. Intune will sell for $30/license. Curious about the new Windows Surface laptop? Check out the specifications for the $189 Surface laptop.

But wait, there’s more! The free Microsoft Office 365 for Education now integrates Teams, Microsoft’s newest chat-based workspace, for use in Microsoft Classrooms via an incredible update. This will allow for greater and easier collaboration among students and staff.

Innovation #2 – Minecraft (MCEE) Adds a Coding Agent

Microsoft update Wish you had a digital assistant to help you build a virtual world? Now you do. Minecraft: Education Edition (also known as MCEE and in use in 100 countries) now has a mod known as Code Builder, which makes building and creating in the online virtual world as easy as drag and drop. In the on-screen demo, students use block coding strategies with Tynker (Scratch is also available) to direct the Agent, which appears on the screen as a robot. The robot can be programmed to build and create structures in virtual space. This is absolutely mind-blowing! Over 50 million instances of Minecraft Hour of Code have already highlighted how budding coders are learning to create and manipulate their virtual environment in real time. Now you’ll be able to combine Tynker and/or Javascript (for more advanced coders) with MCEE without having to leave the virtual world. Minecrafters simply type /code to connect to Tynker or Javascript. And all new Windows 10 education PCs now come with a free one-year subscription to MCEE. Both of these updates offer fantastic opportunities for schools, taking MCEE into the realm of coding to solve real-world problems.

Innovation #3 – Free STEM Projects and Lessons

Control a robotic finger made from a straw, stream data into MS Excel, and design a moving dragon. These are only three examples of newly available pop-up STEM experiences that will appear in May, along with summer programs, at select Microsoft stores. Add these to the existing library of content available via Creative Coding through Games and Apps (CCGA) and K-12 schools have access to an array of learning possibilities.

Innovation #4 – Windows Mixed Reality Brings 3D into Classrooms

Image Source: 3D4medical.com

“Learning is an endless pursuit,” says Panos Panay (@panos_panay), Microsoft Surface engineer, as he lovingly describes engineers seeking to design new Surfacebooks and tablets. These words are echoed in every aspect of Mixed Reality, a new technology that models field trips to space and places students into a 3D reality. This is the power of mixed reality that merges physical and virtual worlds. See it in action via this video. Mixed Reality works with any Windows 10 computer equipped with a built-in or external webcam. Even better, it is available at no cost.

Another incredible addition is 3D4Medical, which transforms medical learning using the Microsoft Surface laptop (available June 15 for $999; pre-order today). What’s more, Microsoft, 3D4Medical, and Pearson have combined to make a variety of other innovative courses available.

Innovation #5 – New Surface Laptop with 14.5-Hour Battery Life

One of the stunning announcements of the morning included demonstrations of the new Surface Laptop, available in multiple colors and boasting a 14.5-hour battery life (outperforming Apple’s Mac at 10 hours of life). This incredible device appears light, sleek, and powerful. It’s great for use anywhere and by anyone. It is available for purchase beginning today at a price point just shy of $1,000.

Photo Credit: The Next Web

Implications for K-16

Wondering how these revelations impact K-16 education? While new technology is always exciting, Microsoft Intune brings new mobile device management tools to Windows 10 S devices, making them a solid option for cost-conscious education leaders. The free, albeit for one year, Minecraft:Education Edition with Code Builder, the no-cost Mixed Reality, and pop-up experience STEM lessons and curriculum make today’s update a visionary and breathtaking view of what’s possible tomorrow.

May 2, 2017 0 comments

Coding/Computer Science Robotics STEM/STEAM

Celebrate Scratch Day and a Decade of Fun, Free Coding

by Susan Meyer May 1, 2017

written by Susan Meyer

This month, it’s time to gather together to celebrate your favorite coding language: Scratch! (And if it isn’t already your favorite, you’ll definitely want to read further and discover what you and your students could be gaining from this fantastic, free programming language). Every May, people around the world hold Scratch Day events. These are free events that anyone can join (or even host their own) to learn and share the exciting possibilities with Scratch.

Why Scratch?

The ability to code is quickly becoming a required part of modern digital literacy. When students learn how to code, they are also learning problem-solving strategies and critical thinking, as well as how to creatively communicate their ideas.

Scratch is a great first programming language. It’s completely free to use. It’s also a visual programming language, making it easy to grasp for first time coders. In Scratch, you move and snap together colored blocks to create the code. The organization of these blocks provides instructions to control characters called sprites. Young children can begin to understand the basic principles of coding without having to remember and write out lines of code. They can see immediate results and discover how adjustments in their code can change the resulting outcome. For more information on getting started with Scratch, check out this blog.

Scratch is specifically designed for learners ages 8 to 16. However, it is used and enjoyed by millions of people of all ages. Scratch isn’t just fun for new coders, but more experienced coders, too. As students gain more confidence in their coding skills, they can create more in-depth interactive stories and complex games and bring them to life through animation. They can also collaborate with others and share their creations in an online community. In fact, the Scratch community has over 21 million projects shared. These are great resources for programmers to get ideas, be inspired, and see the incredible range of what can be created using Scratch.

A Quick History of Scratch

I believe that the best way to help people understand the world is to provide them with opportunities to actively explore, experiment, and express themselves.
–Mitchel Resnick, Creator of Scratch

This year isn’t just any Scratch Day time; it’s also the 10-year anniversary of Scratch. That marks a whole decade of millions of children and adults learning to code in a fresh new way.

Scratch was created by Mitchel Resnick through a group called Lifelong Kindergarten in the MIT Media Lab. The mission of Lifelong Kindergarten is to encourage learning through active discovery. Their philosophy is that people of all ages learn best when they are engaged with designing, creating, and inventing things, a premise that TCEA and all of our members strongly agree with and practice.

Resnick developed the earliest versions of Scratch while working with the students and staff at Computer Clubhouse. This is a network of after-school learning centers where students from low-income communities can use technology to express themselves. The name “Scratch” comes from the idea of collaboration and building off the work of others to create something new. “Scratching” in computer science means to reuse and re-purpose code and share it with others so that they can do the same.

Lifelong Kindergarten continues to grow and improve Scratch to match new technology. The first edition of Scratch was intended for people to download and use on their home computer. Scratch 2.0 allowed coders to design and share their projects directly in their web browsers. Scratch 3.0, which is expected to be released in 2017, will allow students to code on mobile devices and even integrate with Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

Get Scratching

Scratch Day is a global network of events that celebrate all things Scratch. There are already over 400 projects planned this year. These events are designed to allow members of the Scratch community to come together in real time to share projects and ideas and learn from each other.

To find a project or event near you, go to the Scratch Day website. You can search by your city, town, or zip code to see what events are nearby. Don’t see an event near you? You can always host your own! The Scratch Day organizers provide resources for how to host a Scratch Day event including a planning checklist, sample agendas, and tips for effective facilitation.

Are you attending or planning to host a Scratch Day event this May? If so, we’d love to hear what you have in store in the comments section below.

May 1, 2017 0 comments

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