Coding and Content Connections in Early Childhood Classes

In my presentation on using coding to enhance content learning, I will focus on demonstrating how coding can be effectively integrated into various subjects to boost student engagement and curiosity. I will present content that includes practical examples of coding activities linked to specific content areas, showcasing tools such as Marty by Robotical, Vex Robotics, and Tynker. This will help illustrate the relevance of coding in real-world applications and how it can make learning more exciting for students. To connect and engage the audience, I will begin with a brief introduction that highlights the importance of fostering curiosity in the classroom. Throughout the session, I will share ideas that are classroom tested and relevant for early childhood educators or those who work in elementary schools. I will offer real classroom examples and ideas that teachers can take back to their classroom and use with students. Additionally, I will showcase hands-on activities that will teach students to create simple coding projects that align with specific content standards that teachers can explore and adapt to their classes. In terms of time management, I plan to spend approximately 10 minutes on the introduction and overview of the content, followed by 20 minutes dedicated to presenting specific coding examples and their applications in the classroom and the specific data I have collected on how it has impacted student engagment, creativity, and learning. The remaining time will be reserved for showing teachers how they can adapt coding lessons to push content standards and further student learning. I hope to engage the audience and give them an opportunity to try out one or two of the content activities that I will share with them and let them experience the tools and coding platforms in a simple way that can be adapted to use with their students.

Edutopia- Incorporating Robotics Across the Curriculum - https://www.edutopia.org/article/incorporating-robotics-across-curriculum/ NSTA- Connecting a Community Through Computational Thinking and Robotics - https://www.nsta.org/connected-science-learning/connected-science-learning-february-march-2023/connecting-community Book- Coding as a Playground- abstract Link- https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315398945/coding-playground-marina-umaschi-bers Using Vex In STEM- https://www.vexrobotics.com/education Lessons Vex- https://education.vex.com/ Lesson with Marty the Robot- https://learn.robotical.io/lessons/martyVersions/2 Tynker and Standards Alignment- https://www.tynker.com/school/standards/?dashboard=1 Article about using robotics in early childhood classrooms- https://info.scholarschoice.ca/blog/robotics-in-early-childhood-education?hs_amp=true Robotics in Early Childhood Education - Robotical https://robotical.io/blog/robotics-in-early-childhood-education/?currency=gbp/feed/

I will be showcasing different tools that attendees can use at a later time. They will not need technology at the session unless they want to have anything downloaded as most things will be web based.