Computational Thinking with Coding

Photon is a versatile and engaging instructional tool that can be seamlessly integrated into any classroom to deepen instruction. In this course, you will be introduced to Photon and become familiar with its many features. You will explore the various methods available for interacting with your Photon and consider how what you’ve learned about Photon can be integrated into your practice.

As teachers work to incorporate coding, one challenge may be access to the internet, devices, or coding tools. However, exploring the concept of coding does not require any of these; many coding concepts can be taught offline. In this course, you will explore activities that teach coding concepts without devices, internet connectivity, or coding tools. Building a foundation of coding knowledge - with or without technology - can be a powerful catalyst for future coding lessons!

Learning Loss is described by many as a decline in student learning caused by extended closures or disruption to schooling. This problem affects learners around the globe. Accelerated Learning Recovery is a solution oriented approach to addressing this very real problem. In this course, participants will consider the occurrence of Learning Loss and consider how Accelerated Learning Recovery can address the fundamental needs of students and support academic growth. Learners will explore the basics of the Accelerated Learning framework and underline the importance of implementing a data-driven, whole-school approach to social-emotional wellness as well as the school's vital role in providing a supportive educational community. We will also describe the benefits of building opportunities for learners to identify and harness their emotions through creative expression. Participants will walk away with knowledge of the Accelerated Learning Recovery framework and an understanding of the role they play in supporting students in school.

The Engineering Design Process has been utilized by many STEM-related subjects’ educators as a means to implement STEM. as it helps students develop critical thinking skills. It is commonly utilized to create functional products but can also be used as a framework for solving problems. In this course, participants will be introduced to the design process, experience a design challenge and develop a plan for integrating the design process into the classroom.

Supporting students’ social and emotional well-being is critical for academic growth. Students need to develop skills through targeted and strategic instruction to support their development of self-awareness, self-management, social-awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. It is important for teachers to be cognizant of the needs of individual students when planning routines, procedures, and activities in the classroom. In this course, you will explore a variety of high-leverage strategies that promote the CASEL 5 Core Competencies to use in your classroom.

Magic Bridge is software that allows Photon to communicate simultaneously with up to eight Photon robots! You will be introduced to the Magic Bridge in this course before exploring the range of options available within the program. This software enables educators and learners to access all the coding applications found on mobile devices and additional advanced coding programs such as MakeCode, JavaScript, and Python. Participants will consider using each coding application in their context and explore those applications through a series of coding challenges.

Setting norms is a crucial facet of efficient classroom management. In this course, uncover new ideas for integrating Photon into their classrooms as we unpack various strategies used to norm Photon into your classroom. These strategies can be considered with the creation of practical classroom management procedures.

Universal Design for Learning (UDL) is a framework that aims to support educators in creating learning experiences that meet the needs of all learners. In this course, explore the UDL guidelines and how the principles of UDL can be connected to the integration of Photon in the classroom. Participants will utilize UDL principles to design Photon learning experiences to develop the most effective instruction possible.

When teachers ask students to demonstrate their learning in the traditional classroom, it often takes place in the form of a quiz, test, or “project”, but as we know, there are many ways to express learned knowledge and skills. In this course, participants will explore the benefits of encouraging and supporting creative expression as a medium through which equitable access and engagement with learning are possible.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) correlates strongly with positive academic, emotional, and social outcomes for learners. In this course, explore CASEL’s five competencies. Then we will explore how to connect each competency with Photon as a powerful technology tool to support learner’s SEL instruction and development of SEL skills.

Teachers serve classrooms filled with culturally and linguistically diverse students. An individual's culture and background are critically important to their experiences and outcomes as learners. It is therefore essential for educators to engage in teaching practices that are grounded in a dedication to cultural literacy, and a celebration for diversity. Creating a culture of empathy, equity, and belonging in the classroom begins with the ability to recognize and implement key features of a culturally responsive environment. Learners will leave this course with a wide breadth of knowledge surrounding diversity, and cultural inclusion, and responsiveness in a classroom environment.

Over the past decade, STEM learning has risen to the forefront of education. While schools have taken many different approaches to incorporate STEM into their academic programming, the core principles of STEM learning are rooted deeply in the daily interactions and learning activities of the classroom. This course is designed to help participants explore ways that a STEM culture can be developed in their own classroom. Participants will learn the foundational principles and pedagogy of STEM education. They will explore ways that learners can engage with new concepts, work collaboratively, and develop strong problem-solving skills. Participants will reflect upon their past and current instructional practices and look for ways that they can add or adjust activities to promote a stronger STEM culture. As they move through the course, participants will create an Action Plan that they will be able to use to establish a classroom environment that is engaging, dynamic, and learner-driven.

One of the highlights of working with Photon is the wide range of ways that learners and educators can engage with Photon. Photon supports the development of coding and computational thinking skills for all learners. From pre-readers, English Language learners, beginner coders to expert programmers and everywhere in between, Photon has a way to meet every learner where they are in their learning journey. This course will introduce participants to coding and the benefits of including coding principles into your pre-existing curricula. Each method of controlling Photon will be explored and considered for its use with learners.

Practical and thoughtful curriculum design lays the groundwork for powerful instruction. In this course, we will explore a series of pedagogical frameworks and STEM approaches for designing learning experiences with Photon and applied to the creation of compelling learning experiences.

Problem-based learning (PBL) is more than just a method of teaching; it is an approach to helping learners develop 21st-century skills needed to be thriving adults outside the classroom environment. In this course, we will begin unpacking the definition of PBL and its characteristics. Then, we will explore how other educators approach PBL experiences in their classrooms. Discover how PBL can motivate learners to collaborate, problem-solve, and think critically about real-world problems. Finally, end the course by applying the steps to design your own PBL experience!