Invent to Learn

This book is what I've been looking for, for a long time. Go buy it now!

I just got to the part about 3D printers, physical computing, and programming. I've been actively teaching coding via iPads since December. We use Kodable in K-2 and Lightbot and Hopscotch in 3-4.  I tweeted last week that the energy in my room has been absolutely electric while working with these tools. It's been so easy to see the benefit of teaching coding to young children.

Prior to reading the above, 3D printing didn't seem like something that would have a place in K-4. However, to be honest, I wasn't really clear on the practical applications of 3D printing either. Invent to Learn opened my eyes. A local high school recently acquired a 3D printer with the help of my friend Tony Youngblood. He also hipped me to iOS based CAD programs soon to be released by Makerbot. After a little more research, I've decided my classroom needs one. The 3D printer is the kiln of the 21st Century art room.

But physical computing is the technology that has me the most excited. Littlebits caught my eye a while back, but somehow I completely forgot about it. I've been describing them as electric Legos to my co-workers. These should be in every 3-4th grade science kit. I'm really interested in the Korg set for my own personal amusement. 

Although it is capable of so much more, I've also been familiar Arduino as tool for interactive art projects. I'm not sure how accessible it would be for my students, but it's definitely worth more research.

But Raspberry Pi. Oh my. So yummy. A $25 no-frills credit card sized computer that runs various useful computing tools. It also runs Scratch. Incredible. I have this idea about having my fourth graders building multiple Raspberry Pi stations for creating a Scratch lab in my classroom. I'm not sure how do-able this project is, so I'm gonna pilot the idea on my own in my garage this summer. After tweeting my ideas, I was also introduced to Kano. Wow.

3 more days of TCAP. Yeehaw.

The Truth About Learning to Type in the K-4

I attended a PLC for K-4 technology/computer teachers today and the subject of typing programs came up. In my opinion, this is probably the most controversial issue to talk about with K-4 technology/computer teachers. It opens up such a huge can of worms.

I continue to stand by the notion that typing in K-4 is not developmentally appropriate for students and it should not be taught. Keyboards are not designed for little hands. They are designed for adult hands with fully developed muscles and bones. The ergonomics of the keyboards are barely healthy for adults. Keyboarding, over time, causes carpal tunnel syndrome. As a former web designer, I can attest that it is painful and makes the use of one's hands difficult. Why would we want to force this practice on young children?

I tweeted an abbreviated form of this idea during a technology conference last week and was met with the reply that kids need to start somewhere when it comes to typing. Eighth graders should not be hunting and pecking. I didn't disagree. But I've found K-4 students to be more productive typing on an iPad, than a desktop or laptop. The traditional desktop or laptop keyboard has too many keys for young minds. It is too much data to process. It also requires students to look in two different places as they type (three places, if they are typing from a piece of paper). iPad typing is so much more kid-friendly. The keyboard is nicely compressed with only the essential keys for expressing their ideas. There is also the simplicity of working with one surface and seeing both the input and output on one screen.

But nevermind ergonomics, why do K-4 students NEED to learn to type. Typing is not a skill of 21st century learning. At least, it won't be for long. 20 years ago, we could not have imagined technologies like Siri, AutoCorrect, Predictive Searching or even the accessibility of video chat. In 20 years, it is reasonable to believe, we will have entirely new tools that allow us to express our ideas and emotions through technology in ways we can't yet imagine.

So again, I ask, why do K-4 students NEED to learn to type. The answer? So they can take a test. Another high stakes, standardized test that may or may not measure their learning over the course of a school year. This is not a productive use of technology in a K-4 classroom. This does not promote learning or thinking. This is doing more of the same with a higher price tag. If we truly want to promote learning and thinking, not only do we have to change the way we are teaching, we also have to change the way we are assessing. Online assessments are the way of the future. If we can create technology tools that allow us to differentiate our instruction in countless ways, surely the testing companies can develop tools that allow us assess student learning in the same way.

It's time to differentiate the test.

PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators Program

With great excitement, I have been accepted to the PBS LearningMedia Digital Innovators program. I am now part of 100 nationwide teachers that were selected to participate in a year long professional learning network. Through this program, I will get access to materials and trainings that will help me develop my program even further. I will also have a network to further share the work that my students and I have already done. This is a tremendous opportunity.

http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/digitalinnovators_2014/

TETC 2014: Creative iPad Integration

I will be presenting a condensed version of Creative iPad Integration at the Tennessee Educational Technology Conference on Monday, April 14 from 10:45-11:45. This conference is being held at the Music City Center in downtown Nashville. For more information visit http://www.tn.gov/education/tetc/

For this condensed presentation, I will be talking about:

• The Creativity Crisis
• Seymour Papert and Constructionism
• Understanding the iOS for K-6 Educators
• Apps for Creativity
• Apps for Productivity
• Apps for Coding

I may have a small set of iPads available to provide hands-on experience with several apps. Follow me on Twitter @tcarey98 with the hashtag #creativeipadPD.

If you like what you see and hear, I can be booked for workshops, PD, etc. in your district. This workshop is available in half and full day formats.

2014 Circuit Benders Ball

I had initially intended to keep my music interests off of this blog, but this event deserves special attention. My friend Tony Youngblood has been organizing this event for the past several years. Every year it gets a little bigger and even more interesting.

Circuit Bending is the art of modifying discarded or obsolete technology and toys to create electronic musical instruments. It was pioneered by Reed Ghazala in the 1960's and has grown quietly in the electronic music underground ever since. In the age of the internet, it has steadily grown more popular. Circuit Bending appeals to makers, inventors, hackers, tinkerers, musicians and countless others.

Personally, I am not a very experienced bender, but I've made experimental electronic music using mostly lo-fi and forgotten technology for almost 20 years. In 2007, I began experimenting with the Gameboy as a musical instrument. The genre of Chiptune Music had surged in popularity with millenials and GenXers who had grown up with Gameboy. Cartridges like Little Sound DJ and Nanoloop had brought new life to the Gameboy as a multi-voiced synthesizer, drum machine and sequencer. Artists have embraced the Gameboy to create a variety of music styles. I was always attracted the limitations of the Gameboy. It seemed like such an obvious tool for creating minimal techno.

So with great pleasure, I will be performing a short set of electronic music using my Gameboy and a Casio SK-1. I will also be moderating a panel with other Chiptune artists to talk about the genre and methods for exploring this music. These artists include Frank Angotti, Ben Marcentel, Arnie Holder, and Dylan Ethier. The panel is at 3PM  2PM on Sunday, April 13. Performances begin at 4:15 PM.

For more information and ticketing visit Circuit Benders Ball.