Episode 114: Digital Learning Now Middle School Teachers

SPS Digital Learning Hour

For this weeks episode we dive into a three part series featuring our Middle School Computer Science Students, Teachers, and Principals. I met with a few of our teachers for this episode. I talked with Melissa Zeitz of Alfred G Zanetti Montessori School, Alva Laster, Jamie Carens and Gary Burgess of STEM Middle Academy and Lia Ashe Simmer of Kiley Prep Middle School. These teachers are are leading the way in bringing a great computer science curriculum to our great middle schools, these interviews are ones to not miss. If you are a potential future middle school educator or have students that will be entering Middle School, this is a great episode for you.

A little background on our DL Now program.

Computer Science has changed the way we think, the way we communicate, the way we work, and the way we live. Computer Science (or CS as it is affectionately known as) is more than just coding and using a computer to complete a given task. It involves critical thinking, collaboration, and the ability to creatively solve problems. And there are many ways to engage in computer science without even using a computer. For example, students can write instructions for making a peanut butter sandwich, then work with another student to complete the task by following the instructions exactly as written. Students will soon realize the importance of being precise in their step-by-step instructions and no doubt, will see where some key steps were missed. A fun activity!

Here in Springfield, we believe every student should have opportunities and access to a high-quality computer science education. Students need to think of the world from different perspectives and to value each other as they work together to solve problems and become critical thinkers. We believe that students can be more than consumers. They can be active creators and problem-solvers, tackling some of the biggest challenges affecting our world today. Indeed, computer science is the foundational skill necessary for all students to succeed in reaching their personal and professional goals as active contributors in our world.

Tools mentioned:

Code.org

EarSketch

You can find me at:

• Website: Bearded Tech-Ed Guy
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beardedteched
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beardedteched
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/beardedteched

Music:

Tell Me (instrumental) by RYYZN https://soundcloud.com/ryyzn

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported — CC BY 3.0

Free Download / Stream: https://bit.ly/tell-me-instrumental

Music promoted by Audio Library https://youtu.be/IsDZxG0bExY

🎵 Track Info:

Title: Tell Me (instrumental) by RYYZN

Genre and Mood: Dance & Electronic + Bright

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🎧 Available on:

• Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2UL9T7B
• iTunes: https://apple.co/36VZlIw
• Deezer: https://deezer.com/us/track/1019283902
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/4FR8gZdiiWg
• SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/ryyzn/tell-me