Tuesday, November 29, 2016

December 5 - 11, 2016 is Computer Science Education Week


All students at Eagle Lake Elementary School will be participating in The Hour of Code during their media time the week of December 5th and the week of December 12th. We will then be using our coding knowledge to program the various robots that we have as well.



There are so many activities available for them to learn and practice coding.  I have them linked on our Eagle Lake Media Website.  

If your students have a chance during their days, please encourage them to use some of the coding websites during these two weeks. You might even add it to your weekly newsletter.  
(Thank You.)




Here are some facts about why coding is important:

There are currently 517,393 open computing jobs nationwide.
Last year, only 42,969 computer science students graduated into the workforce.

The four facts about coding below come from: "Four Reasons Why Kids Should Code  http://www.tynker.com/blog/articles/ideas-and-tips/four-reasons-why-kids-should-learn-programming/

1. Programming is a basic literacy in the digital age.

Kids are growing up in a very different world than that of their parents. Cellphones, computers, Youtube, Netflix, and Facebook are embedded in their daily lives. Even toys are digital, and many are programmable, such as Legos and the new-generation LeapFrogs.
It is one thing to know how to use these technologies. It’s another, however, to understand the logic behind them. When learning to program, kids understand and tinker with the digital world they inhabit. Coding draws back the seeming “magic” of technology so they can truly understand the logic and science that controls this technology–a discovery that is all the more magical.
Our reliance on technology will only increase.  The students of today must be able to not only passively consume this technology, but also to understand and control it, becoming an active part of this huge digital shift.

2. Programming can change the world.

For the last several centuries, people relied on the written word to spread ideas. The ability to write was the ability to create change. Today, writing is not enough. To change behavior, it is crucial to leverage the digital medium.
We’re seeing all around us that programming is changing the world.

3. “You have an idea for then next big innovation? Great. Can you bring it to life?”

Everyone has ideas. Only a select few can make them happen. The ability to code separates those who merely have an idea from those who can make their ideas a reality.
If you want your child to be a thinker and innovator who can bring ideas to life, encourage him or her to learn how to program. Programming gives children confidence that they can be designers and builders.

4. Programming doesn’t have to be hard to learn.

I If a child programs an object to move in a certain way and then immediately sees the results she wanted, then she knows she has manipulated the code correctly. This type of instant positive reinforcement is an incredibly powerful educational tool.
Learning how to program is like learning any other language in that the skill must be practiced and tested out. Just as languages open up the ability to communicate with worlds of people, programming gives children the ability to create technologies that impact those around them. With just a computer, kids can use their programming skills to build things that could change the world.




Tuesday, November 15, 2016

SMART Notebook Express
  Click Here to get to SMART Notebook Express to go to a webpage to create simple Notebooks files.  You can do this on your Chromebook or a device that doesn't have Notebook software.  You can also run Notebook files that you have already created.  You could create simple files on your Chromebook at home or anywhere or run them from your Chromebook with the touchscreen. 


Tuesday, November 8, 2016

School Dude


 
Click HERE to get the School Dude login directions.  This is where you get directions to fill out the form to get IT and Maintenance help.  

The direct link to the SchoolDude website is : https://goo.gl/irXN3u.

Google Forms Basics

Today's Post comes from a blog that I follow by Alice Keeler.    It shows how to make a Google Form in 7 steps. I use Google Forms to quiz students who have read the Maud Hart Lovelace books.  I also use them to have the students vote for their favorite book characters that students made for the Makerspace Book Character competition in the library.

Google has updated Google forms and it is so easy for students to use and also easy to interpret the information that you can get from the forms.  It would be cool to have students create some forms of their own to collect information.  See the easy infograph below to learn how to use the new Google Forms.

Tuesday, November 1, 2016

MakerSpace Helpers

Today, the tech tip is simply to ask you to share this with your students.  

We had 4th and 5th grade helpers in the media center today to organize Legos into colors.  We put them into containers hoping that this will help our builders at the Lego wall  create awesome projects. Would you please share the video and pictures with your class to remind them to try to keep the Legos organized. Anything they don't use should be put away.  Thank you.

-Ms. Weckwerth, Mrs. Buesing, and this week's MakerSpace Helpers.


            
These orange pieces help to take the Legos apart.  Please put them back in these holders when you are finished with them.