MIND-CRAFTING

Traditional Hobbies: wood-crafts, crocheting, sewing, puzzles, baking, and building. These traditional hobbies allowed us to use our minds and hands create. The creative process required mind-crafting: critical and computational thinking, problem solving, sometimes communicating, and always a final product. Today’s hobbies may often revolve around or include technology.  Computer Science (CS) can be a way to utilize the time and skills once designated for “traditional hobbies”.  Why is CS good for students? They must critically think, problem-solve, communicate (verbal/non-verbal), analyze and reflect. Embedding the CS mindset into our ELA, Math, Science and Social Studies lessons can make it more palatable for students. Front loading lessons with CS offers new resources to capture and extend learning, perspective and outcomes.
Differentiation. All students do not like the same CS programs, but finding the one they do will open up a window. It also allows students to experience you caring enough to find what interests to them. Through Code.org and Google CS First, I have seen students blossom and become proud of their tenacity. They capture a part of their possibly deflated spirit. Students recharge and revive, ready to delve back into their core curriculum with a refreshed perspective.​  Read more.

 

Featured FETC Presenter:

Ericka MabionEricka Mabion

Consultant
EdTechTeam

Ericka Mabion is an EdTechTeam Consultant from Kansas City, Missouri. She has been passionate about facilitating professional development for technology integration and project-based learning experiences. During her fifteen-year teaching career, Ericka discovered the benefits of integrating technology while differentiating for special needs and English Language Learners. She has a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from Capella University. Currently, she holds credentials to facilitate Professional Development for Code.org, Scratch and various educational technologies. She has published blogs for EdTechTeam, Infosys Foundation, and her personal website which houses “Mabion’s Minute”, a YouTube for EdTech tips and tools.


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