Thursday, November 14, 2024

Computer Science in a Classroom

This week there is no accompanying lecture or quiz. Instead, we direct you toward this very comprehensive article by Chontelle Bonfiglio titled: 8 Reasons Why Every Child Should Learn to Code 

  • Read the article 
  • Browse the linked resources there.
  • Save, pin, bookmark, or file ideas for your future classroom!

Resource for early childhood:  7 Super Easy Ways to Introduce Coding to Preschoolers: https://teachyourkidscode.com/coding-for-preschoolers/

Resource for middle and high school: AI (Artificial Intelligence) is at the forefront of the news. Lessons about AI can provide a great entry point into computer science for middle and high school students. This article provides Tips and Resources for Introducing Students to Artificial Intelligence.

Why computer science the article CSTA standards will be important to you and your students. 

  • The Iowa Department of Education adopted computer science standards in 2018 and emphasizes complete courses at the high school level. 
  • Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced in 2018 an effort to launch innovative computer science projects in elementary schools:  "Teaching computer science and other STEM-related courses is an essential component to any child’s education. That’s why Iowa is preparing our young people for success in cutting-edge careers with programs like this.”
  • In fact, with additional involvement from UNI, Iowa's public education system is taking steps to ensure that teachers at all levels can address computational thinking and thus equip students for success in a world where "65% of jobs of the future do not yet exist." (World Economic Forum, 2016).
Bookmark Iowa Department of Education Computer Science Standards (voluntary standards initially developed by CSTA, the Computer Science Teachers Association).





Hour of Code event at Schindler Ed Center

Thursday, November 7, 2024

Digital Citizenship

you can follow this link to download this and other free posters for your classroom



Hello! 

As the visual above shows, digital citizenship is the combination of skills and norms for appropriate, responsible, and empowered use of technology. 

To read: Begin by familiarizing yourself with the 9 elements of Digital Citizenship, 
followed by the 

S3 framework: Safe Savvy, and Social:

http://www.digitalcitizenship.net/nine-elements.html.

 
Now you know that Safe, Savvy, and Social (S3) are the main guiding themes in digital citizenship. 

Many educators argue that 3S is not enough. Digital citizenship should be followed up or go hand in hand with 

digital leadership, 

which involves using technology to improve the lives, well-being, and circumstances of others. 
 
  • Websites like volunteermatch.org provide a national digital infrastructure to serve volunteers and nonprofit organization in America 
  • Nonprofit organizations Donors Choose connect donors directly to public school classroom projects. See if there is a need in your community.   
  • Organizations like WorldSavvy  helps students develop 21st Century skills for Global Competency resources and opportunities for schools worldwide. Bookmark for future use! 

 Watch this funny PSA: Actually Do Something.


Savvy and Social:

To read and bookmark: tips for helping students (and adults!) engage in effective online communication.
Also there:Sentence frames help students with respectful online responses

To Read:
Where does Artificial Intelligence (AI) fit in the context of S3? Read this short article on How to recognize and harness the potential of AI 

To Read:  Principle #V. of Model Code of Ethics - Responsible and Ethical Use of Technology by the National Association of State Directors and Teacher Education and Certification.

The links below provide the resources for you and your classroom organized around these four themes. 

To do: Netiquette: Browse and bookmark these resources for later use. Resources are related to online communication's common do's and don'ts. http://www.albion.com/netiquette/. Never assume that your students know how to behave in an online environment! 
To do: Play the Interland game from beinternetawesome.withgoogle.com, designed to help students gain digital citizenship skills- notice the "Be Internet Awesome" Curriculum available to download and also linked below.

Browse and bookmark for future use: http://www.aplatformforgood.org -  A vision for a  Platform for Good is to start a dialogue about what it means to participate responsibly in a digital world. While recognizing the potential risks, they celebrate technology as a vehicle for opportunity and social change.

Browse and bookmark for future use: "Everything you need to Teach Digital Citizenship"  free lessons and resources for K–12 Digital Citizenship Curriculum by Common Sense. 

To be a digital leader in a truly borderless world, one needs to possess certain global competencies. We discussed it a bit in previous RWLDs. This 1min video and this website explain the elements of Global Competency:




Browse and bookmark for late use the Be Internet Awesome curriculum, a program designed in collaboration between Google and the Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe.org), that teaches kids the skills they need to be safe and smart online.

Follow our Digital Citizenship board on Pinterest.

SNL meme
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live

Extra Credit Opportunity!!! Complete Google Digital Citizenship and Safety training, take a screenshot of the page with the information about the completion (make sure your name is visible on a screen shot), and submit it to the Extra Credit assignment dropbox.


ISTE Standards Connection: 

ISTE Standards for Students connection: 
  • Standard #1.2: Digital Citizen: Students recognize the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of living, learning, and working in an interconnected digital world, and they act and model in ways that are safe, legal, and ethical.
    • 1.2.a Students cultivate and manage their digital identity and reputation and are aware of the permanence of their actions in the digital world.
    • 1.2.b Students engage in positive, safe, legal, and ethical behavior when using technology, including social interactions online or when using networked devices.
    • 1.2.c Students demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the rights and obligations of using and sharing intellectual property.
    • 1.2.d Students manage their personal data to maintain digital privacy and security and are aware of data-collection technology used to track their navigation online.

  • Standard #1.3: Knowledge Constructor: Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct knowledge, produce creative artifacts, and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.

  • Standard #1.7: Global Collaborator: Students use digital tools to broaden their perspectives and enrich their learning by collaborating with others and working effectively in teams locally and globally. 
    • 1.7.a Students use digital tools to connect with learners from a variety of backgrounds and cultures, engaging with them in ways that broaden mutual understanding and learning.
    • 1.7.b Students use collaborative technologies to work with others, including peers, experts or community members, to examine issues and problems from multiple viewpoints.
    • 1.7.c Students contribute constructively to project teams, assuming various roles and responsibilities to work effectively toward a common goal.
    • 1.7.d Students explore local and global issues and use collaborative technologies to work with others to investigate solutions.
ISTE Standard for Educators Connection
  • Standard #2.3 Citizen: Educator as Citizen inspire students to positively contribute to and responsibly participate in the digital world
    • 2.3.a Create experiences for learners to make positive, socially responsible contributions and exhibit empathetic behavior online that build relationships and community.
    • 2.3.b Establish a learning culture that promotes curiosity and critical examination of online resources and fosters digital literacy and media fluency.
    • 2.3.c Mentor students in safe, legal and ethical practices with digital tools and the protection of intellectual rights and property.
    • 2.3.d Model and promote management of personal data and digital identity and protect student data privacy.

  • Standard #2.4 Collaborator: Educators dedicate time to collaborate with both colleagues and students to improve practice, discover and share resources and ideas, and solve problems. 
    • 2.4.c Use collaborative tools to expand students' authentic, real-world learning experiences by engaging virtually with experts, teams and students, locally and globally.
      2.4 d: Educator as Collaborator demonstrates cultural competency when communicating with students, parents, and colleagues and interact with them as co-collaborators in student learning.
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Additional resources (not required):

Stay Savvy: Test your knowledge and rid yourself of the most common global misconceptions: https://upgrader.gapminder.org/ 

Using the Internet for the greater good: The World's Largest Lesson provides free and creative resources for educators to teach lessons, run projects, and stimulate action in support of Sustainable Development Goals. SDGs are the blueprint for achieving a better and more sustainable future for all humans. They address the global challenges we face, including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.


Download activity for Violence Against Children and the Digital Environment that invites youth to share their ideas about addressing violence against children and the digital environment (Human and Child Rights)


To Read Five Myths About Young People and Social Media - Five Myths About Young People and Social Media  - article based on Danah Boyd's book, "It’s Complicated: The Social Lives of Networked Teens."


Access to the Be Internet Awesome curriculum, a program designed in collaboration between Google and the Internet Keep Safe Coalition (iKeepSafe.org), teaches kids the skills they need to be safe and smart online.

Bookmark for future use the blog with great cyber safety tips and resources http://theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com/2008/08/how-do-i-help-my-child-learn-to-use.html

thetrevorproject.org -  The Trevor Project -  The leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

itgetsbetter.org - It Gets Better Project - a video website created to send the message and to inspire hope for young people facing harassment. It was created in response to several students taking their own lives after being bullied in school.

A Platform for Good - https://aplatformforgood.org/  - A Platform for Good is a website aimed at making the world a better place by providing resources and information for parents, teachers, and children.

Other useful links: 
http://cybersmartcurriculum.org
http://www.safekids.com/
http://www.cyberbullying.org/
http://www.kidsmart.org.uk/
http://www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org/
http://www.stopcyberbullying.org
http://www.cyberbullying.info/
http://www.bewebaware.ca
http://www.fosi.org