Day 102: CODE Robotics Inquiry Launch at Prodomax

Scratch Dance Pad

The CODE Robotics Project is an opportunity for elementary students, from 13 participating schools, to engage in learning through robotics, leading to opportunities for the development of interactive, collaborative, entrepreneurial and problem solving skills.

To launch our inquiry we brought together a group of educators and co-op students, from the participating schools, for a day of hands on learning around robotics, STEAM and coding at Prodomax in Barrie. The teachers and co-op students were challenged through a series of gamified exploration spaces including: a WeDo coding table, EV3 coding space, robot maze with Dash and Dot, a Sphero Pollock Art activity, a virtual reality table (with Google Cardboard), Bayblade building battle with WeDo, a Scratch Dance Pad and a building station. After completing a challenge at one of the hands on learning stations, educators could award themselves a badge and check out their progress on the summary board.

Prodomax by @HT_Library08

We also had an opportunity to go on a tour of Prodomax and see real world examples of robotics in action. We would like to thank Prodomax for welcoming us today into their environment, which inspired our learning and gave it context. A special thank you to Jane McPherson, Bill Richardson and Marc Lemieux for sharing their knowledge with us, helping the day run smoothly and for the engaging tours!

In the afternoon we learned more about the EV3 robots through an interactive series of activities led by Ramy, Chris and Paul from Logics Academy. We were challenged to problem solve and think critically while exploring and creating with the EV3. With great support, we soon felt confident that we could take our robotic skills to the next level and creating our own programs!

See a Storify summary of the Tweets from our day of learning: CODE Robotics Inquiry Launch Tweets.

For SCDSB educators, check out our CODE Robotics Learning Story.

Follow #SCDSBbot on Twitter and our website http://scdsbbot.blogspot.ca/ to learn more.

Tyler Cave, Amy Szerminska, Chris Gilewicz, Marci Duncan and Pat Miller

Day 85: Edcamp Barrie - A Day of Collaborative Learning

On Saturday, educators from SCDSB, SMCDSB and beyond came together for a day of conversation and connection that followed the Edcamp unconference model. Edcamp is an innovative model for professional learning that begins with the question “What do you want to learn about today?”. When participants arrived at Edcamp Barrie there was no session schedule yet because we built it together, based on interests.

Creation of the Edcamp Barrie Session Schedule:

At Edcamp Barrie every educator in the room had the opportunity to contribute to the wall of ideas by sharing their interests, passions and questions.

picture by Patrick Camire

While the planning team organized the ideas and questions by themes, participants listened to three SCDSB students share their thoughts about learning. The students described their learning environment and shared a variety of ideas, from outdoor learning to #DPAaday and how they use technology in the classroom. It was inspiring to hear them describe the journey of how they have become a community of learners.

picture by Melissa Oliver

Next, participants were asked to vote on the themes to determine the session topics. As learners approached the idea wall to vote with their stickers, you could hear and feel the excitement as new connections were made and ideas were already being shared.

Finally, the planning team organized the themes into a session schedule that reflected the choices of the participants. While the session board was being created, participants were engaged in hearing more student voice from the Simcoe-Muskoka Catholic District School Board. These innovative students shared how they are using Google tools to collaborate, how they make their thinking visible and even answered questions from the audience!

Watch the video to see the creation of the session board (that was filmed on an iPad using the iOgrapher kit and put together with iMovie).

Once the session board was created, educators chose what sessions they wanted to attend. At Edcamp sessions are conversation based, which provides an opportunity for everyone in the room to share their ideas and resources. Some learners chose to listen and share ideas in the collaborative notes or on Twitter. If you want to learn more about any of the topics discussed at Edcamp Barrie you can click the title links on the session board to read each session's collaborative notes or view the summary of #edcampbarrie tweets.

For more information about Edcamp Barrie and to hear when we announce the next event, follow @EdcampB on Twitter or visit the website.

Day 77: Share your Learning at the PUSH Your Learning Conference

We are excited to announce our second annual PUSH Your Learning Conference focusing on integrating technology. The conference will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Bear Creek SS.

This event focuses on engaging participants in authentic learning around the innovative integration of educational technology in learning and teaching. Through a variety of sessions, participants will explore and develop their knowledge, skills and attitudes around the effective use of Google Apps for Education and other educational technology tools, such as D2L and Office 365.

We invite you to submit a proposal to share your learning and experiences with integrating technology. Interested presenters should submit a proposal by: Friday, February 5, 2016. We will contact all applicants the week of February 8-12, 2016.

To submit a session proposal, fill out this form:

Call for Session Presenters

Guidelines for Session Submissions:

All sessions should demonstrate how you use the tools to enhance learning and teaching, including STEAM, coding, assessment, parent communication, etc...

Types of Sessions

• Inspiration Session - an interactive learning experience for sharing ideas, resources and best practice in using technology to enhance learning and teaching. (60 minutes)
• Create & Connect Session - an interactive learning experience where participants are asked to create and learn by doing. (60 minutes or 120 minute session)

Title and Session Descriptions

• Provide a brief 250-300 word description of your session.

Presenter(s)

• Provide a short description of each presenter including their name, work location, role, and twitter handle.

Target Audience (select all that apply)

• Kindergarten, Primary, Junior, Intermediate, Secondary and/or Administration.

User Comfort Level with Google Apps for Education

• Beginner
• Intermediate

For more information and examples of previous presentations visit the PUSH Your Learning Blog.

Day 73: Save the Date!

Our second annual PUSH Your Learning Conference focusing on integrating technology is happening on Saturday, March 5, 2016 at Bear Creek SS.

For more information visit the PUSH Your Learning Website.

INSPIRE. UNITE. SHARE. CHANGE.