Digital Learning at Grant Wood AEA
  • Home
  • Learn
    • Green Screen
    • Stop Motion
    • Physical Computing
    • Free Media
  • Think
    • Blog
    • BrightBytes
    • Tech Coaches
    • Blended Learning
    • Think Make Innovate
    • Edtech Take Out
  • Grow
    • Pear Deck Resources
    • Makerspaces
    • GWAEA Online Resources
    • OER
    • Computer Science
  • COVID19
  • Contact
  • Home
  • Learn
    • Green Screen
    • Stop Motion
    • Physical Computing
    • Free Media
  • Think
    • Blog
    • BrightBytes
    • Tech Coaches
    • Blended Learning
    • Think Make Innovate
    • Edtech Take Out
  • Grow
    • Pear Deck Resources
    • Makerspaces
    • GWAEA Online Resources
    • OER
    • Computer Science
  • COVID19
  • Contact

Guest Blog: Xavier Experiences Hour of Code

12/20/2017

0 Comments

 

Noah Lynch, News Editor of the Xavier High Xpress

Almost half a billion students around the world have taken the first step in learning about the technology of the future. The Hour of Code is a global movement that aims to teach people about coding. People of all ages can participate; but the main focus is on students, especially those who are new to computer science. Xavier held their own Hour of Code events throughout the week of December 4. The goal was to get all students to experience at least one hour of coding.

The events hosted at Xavier included a variety of speakers as well as many interactive activities for people of all levels of coding knowledge. Each activity  focused on different types of technology: including wearable technology, domains and IP addresses, drag and drop code, virtual reality, coding music, apps and games, coding languages like Python and Raptor, programming a TI calculator, recursive thinking, and creating a webpage, along with many self-paced tutorials.

In addition to the activities, there were a wide range of speakers from different tech companies. Tom Schuster, who is employed at Crystal Group as an electrical engineer, showed students how to code with a Python tutorial. Samantha Dahlby, who works for code.org at NewBoCo, showed multiple kinds of wearable technology, like an Adafruit bracelet and a circuit playground. She also taught students how to code their own projects using Arduino. Shannon Hampsher and Chris Leonard from GoDaddy taught students about the need for young people to practice digital security and citizenship. They had students practice coding by changing the Google logo and creating their own holiday emoji.

“I think it is really cool that we got the opportunity to participate in Hour of Code here at Xavier,” senior Erin Smith said. “I was able to attend a presentation given by employees at GoDaddy. It was interesting to hear about all the different types of jobs that involve computer science, and how many real world applications it has. I also got to learn about the basics of coding, which I have always been curious about.”

Around the world, there were over 141,000 events registered for the week of December 4 alone. Coding tutorials exist in over 45 languages, and over 100 million students completed almost 450 thousand hours of coding. Xavier has participated in Hour of Code since 2013, but added to the amount of activities each year. Xavier Technology Coordinator Mrs. Barb Miltner organized the event, along with help from Mrs. Tracie Marshall and Ms. Hannah Konzen.

​“Not everyone is going to be a computer scientist or fluent in multiple computer languages,” Miltner said. “But everyone benefits from learning the critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and art of perseverance that computer science promotes. The Hour of Code lets students try something new without a long-term commitment of an entire semester or year-long course. By offering this opportunity, we just might be able to help some students find a new passion.”
This year’s Hour of Code had a large turn out, with students from math and science classes participating in the movement. Xavier will hold another Hour of Code week during this same time next year.

You can see Noah's original Xpress post and pictures here.
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Connect



    Blog Feed

    RSS Feed


    Like Us on Facebook

    Digital Learning at Grant Wood Area Education Agency

    Promote Your Page Too

    Our YouTube Show

    Picture

    Our Podcast

    Picture

    Our Tweets!

    Tweets by @DLGWAEA

    Authors

    Stacy Behmer
    Jonathan Wylie
    Gina Rogers
    Amber Bridge
    Beth Swantz

    Mindy Cairney
    Lynn Kleinmeyer
    Corey Rogers


    Archives

    November 2021
    May 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014


    Categories

    All
    3d Printing
    4Cs
    Assessment
    Augmented Reality
    Best Of The Web
    Blogging
    Board Games
    Coding
    Collaboration
    Communication
    Computer Science
    Connected Classrooms
    Creativity
    Device Deployment
    Digital Citizenship
    Digital Classrooms
    Elementary
    Flipped Classroom
    Formative Assessment
    GAFE
    Google
    Google Apps EDU
    Google Expeditions
    Green Screen
    Hattie
    Innovate
    Ipad
    ISTE
    Literacy
    Make
    Makerspace
    Office 365
    Pear Deck
    Personalized Learning
    PLN
    Podcast
    Professional Learning
    Research
    Service Learning
    Student Choice
    Think
    ThinkMakeInnovate
    Update
    Video
    Virual Reality
    Wakelet
    Web 2.0
    Youtube

Grant Wood Area Education Agency extends equal opportunities in its employment practices, educational programs and services, and does not discriminate on the basis of color, gender, race, national origin, religion, creed, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, veteran status or as otherwise prohibited by law. If you believe you or your child has been discriminated against or treated unjustly, please contact the Agency’s Equity Coordinator, Maria Cashman, at 319-399-6847 or 800-332-8488. Grant Wood AEA, 4401 Sixth St SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.

It is the goal of Grant Wood Area Education Agency that the information on our website be accessible to individuals with visual, hearing or cognitive disabilities. Good faith efforts have been made to ensure that our site complies with the world wide web consortium’s web content accessibility guidelines. Learn more here.