Hacking the Classroom
Last week I had the most fortunate opportunity to attend Microsoft’s E2 Global Educator Exchange conference in Budapest, Hungary. The E2 – Educator Exchange is Microsoft in Education’s annual event...
View ArticleThe Real Value of Computer Science
The coding movement certainly has gained a great deal of traction in a very short period of time. When you consider Seymour Papert’s work in the 70s and 80s, the last three years of Hour of Code are...
View ArticleJoin me at TEDxKitchenerED
Join me at TEDxKitchenerEd – Saturday May 14, 2016 http://www.tedxkitchenered.com
View ArticleCoding Can Help With “Math War”
I just finished reading ‘Math war’ more about words than numbers, says Peel teacher. This Peel teacher just happens to be my good buddy Jonathan So and he will give a keynote on the issue April 2 at...
View ArticleCoding Rock, Paper, Scissors to Teach Probability
This application will randomly select Rock, Paper or Scissors for two players and determine the winner. Check out the source code and give it a try for yourself! Project Page:...
View ArticlePython & Probability
New Blog post. https://t.co/oexDJndPJv Maths + Coding. @scratch @mraspinall @MrOrr_geek @solvemymaths @mathsjem pic.twitter.com/KiUBULLCzl — Joel Speranza (@JoelBSperanza) April 1, 2016 I woke...
View ArticleHave You Ever Flown Bearskin Airlines?
Recently I had the opportunity to visit some very northern parts of our beautiful Province. Full disclosure, I consider Sudbury to be quite north and it isn’t even half way to Sioux Lookout, so I was...
View ArticleThe Myth of Average
The notion of “wide walls”, “low floor – high ceiling”, “multiple entry points”, and “personalized learning” have me in a bit of a tiff this morning. Yup, a TIFF. All great ideas and proven to...
View ArticleWhat is Your Workflow?
Last Saturday marked the 2nd TEDxKitchenerED at the Centre for International Governance Innovation downtown. I feel very lucky to have had the opportunity to share the stage with some very amazing...
View ArticleMinecraft: Spatial Sense, Structures & Growing Patterns
If you would like more resources similar to this one, check out hourofcuriosity.com.
View ArticleSTEAM: Creating Strong Intellectual Skills
In the article “Why the Arts Make Sense in Education” Linda Nathan makes claim that “our young people need to be immersed in artistic experiences (and) they must also develop strong intellectual...
View ArticleSwirlly – Online Spirograph
As part of the requirements for my latest MPed course, I created swirlly for students to inquire about changing variables and drawing circles. The goal of this course was to explore STEAM – more...
View ArticleCreating Simulations: Coin Flipping With Micro:Bit #CTMindset #FCLedu
Task: In this activity, students will create a working coin flipping simulator using the Micro:Bit (or online simulation). Learning Goals: • Compare experimental probabilities with the theoretical...
View ArticleMicro:Bit – Coding Word Games
In this challenge we are going to create a Stopwatch (Countdown timer) and Random Letter Generator using the micro:bit. Our program will use input button A and the LEDs as an output: Button A will...
View ArticleCoding a BeatBox with Micro:Bit #STEAM
In this challenge we are going to code a simple script that plays sounds based on inputs to the Micro:Bit. Our sounds will be triggered by the Pins and input buttons A and B. We will display...
View ArticleGeometry and STEM – Catch the Coins Game
In this challenge we are going to code a game in which players must catch coins on the Micro:Bit. Big Ideas: Geometry – Location & Movement Computational Thinking (breaking down problems)...
View ArticlePhysical Literacy & Coding – MicroBit Step Counter
In this challenge we are going to code the MicroBit to track steps. Using the OnShake command, the Micro:Bit can detect movement. First you will want to create a variable. I called my “steps”....
View ArticleCoding a Story: Probability & Quick Write Prompts
In this challenge we are going to code three Micro:Bits to display 1) Characters, 2) The setting and 3) The problem. As an added bonus, students would code each Micro:Bit to randomly choose one...
View ArticlePhysical Literacy & Math: Coding the Beep Test
In this challenge we are going to write code to simulate the Beep Test training program using Button A as input to trigger the application. Big Ideas: Computational Thinking (logical reasoning,...
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