So, I have continued my robotics/coding journey. It just keeps getting better and better. The kids are really starting to understand the language of coding. And, it has been amazing to see who has stepped into the expert texspert role. It is not the usual student leaders. I have found that coding is a leveled playing field. Some kids that are gifted at school are not gifted with this required "thinking outside the box." I have also watched gifted students struggle with perseverance issues. Since they have not had to work hard at school, they do not have their grit muscle strength like some students that have to persevere every day. Fascinating to watch.
It has also forced students to really understand angles. To give correct instructions, the students have to inform the robot at what angle it should travel. A lot of discussion, trial, and error have brought a greater depth of understanding than any curricular math lesson.
I did it. I made the leap into robotics. I was terrified to fail. I kept putting it off-finding reasons that I couldn't make it work right now. But, the kids asked about when the robots were coming. So, I jumped. And I regret nothing. I do not know how program or code. At all. But, the good thing is that code.org and sphero and other coding groups know this. They have your back. They have created lesson walkthroughs for the teacher, or you can just show the tutorials to the students and have them follow along. I relied on that and the fearlessness of my students. We had a blast as learners together. Ok. I am sure you know about the Hour of Code. And I am sure some of you are on the bandwagon. But, I have an idea that some of you hear it and think--not one more thing. I can't do one more thing. And I hear that. I am a classroom teacher, but I promise once you try it, it will remind you why you became a teacher.
Nhận xét
Đăng nhận xét