#CompThinkChat Twitter Chat Archive

[Phil Wagner]

This Twitter chat meets every two weeks, currently Wednesdays at 7pm CST. Suggest other topics here: http://goo.gl/q3HPk

Aug 8, 2012

Topic: What aspects of computational thinking do you most want to see in your students?

@kevin_krenz	Hi all, and welcome to the inaugural #compthinkchat ! If you're new to Twitter chats, don't forget to include the hashtag in your tweets!
@brokenairplane	RT @kevin_krenz: Hi all, and welcome to the inaugural #compthinkchat ! If you're new to Twitter chats, don't forget to include the hashtag in your tweets!
@kevin_krenz	This week's topic: What aspects of computational thinking do you most want to see in your students? #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	I love the emphasis in Computational Thinking on students creating and testing their understanding using models. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	Personally as a math teacher: an ability to deal with data and a way to make abstract thoughts concrete. #compthinkchat
@matt8bit	I tend to focus on encouraging my students to logically analyze programming code to solve problems. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Absolutely. Models are both concrete and abstract, which make them a fascinating tool for teaching STEM. #compthinkchat
@matt8bit	We do this through 'debugging' sessions or conferences. But I want to focus more on my students ability to identify problems. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@matt8bit Cool! What subjects do you do this in? #compthinkchat
@matt8bit	Absolutely! @brokenairplane: I love the emphasis in CT on students creating and testing their understanding using models. #CompThinkChat
@matt8bit	@kevin_krenz I teach a STEM class that focuses on computer science & robotics in an elem. school. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@matt8bit @brokenairplane What challenges have you faced introducing students to modeling? #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@matt8bit Amazing that you're doing that in elementary school. I'd love to have your students as high schoolers. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	Programming and CS are a great way to encourage Computational Thinking but that is just one example. #CompThinkChat
@matt8bit	@kevin_krenz But I'm teaching colleagues in gen. ed. classes to use coding as a means to start CT learning in other subjects #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@matt8bit What has been their reaction? Are you seeing differences in students' thinking? #compthinkchat
@matt8bit	@brokenairplane I'd like to hear more about your students' use of models. Any examples? What grades are they? #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz One challenge is to make it meaningful and enhance learning and make the students want to dive deeper. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@matt8bit I've put almost everything on either the Exploring Computational Thinking website or my own blog. #CompThinkChat
@matt8bit	@kevin_krenz My girl students are some of my best programmers! 1/3 of my 2nd graders told me they now code at home too. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	#compthinkchat Let's break down modeling. What skills/challenges are there, and how does CT help?
@brokenairplane	@matt8bit My experience was with secondary students in STEM classes. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	Agreed RT @matt8bit: My girl students are some of my best programmers! 1/3 of my 2nd graders told me they now code @ home too #CompThinkChat
@matt8bit	@brokenairplane I'll definitely check it out. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@rjallain Welcome - please chime in if you have any thoughts! #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@matt8bit This is why we need more women thinking computationally. Besides they were the 1st programmers, it's their legacy! #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@matt8bit That's amazing. Both parts. What do you think it is about CT/programming that draws them? #compthinkchat
@matt8bit	The biggest challenge w/ modeling I see with elem. students is the question "Where to begin?" They struggle getting started. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@matt8bit I don't think that's specific to elem. I think CT is great for helping students figure that out. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	Modeling and Computational Thinking go perfectly together. I'd love to see this practice go beyond Physics and the Sciences. #CompThinkChat
@matt8bit	@kevin_krenz My students & I have adopted the thinking that programming is a form of expression - the human need to create! #CompThinkChat
@matt8bit	@kevin_krenz That's what I think captures their interest - the desire to solve problems and create. #CompThinkChat
@matt8bit	@kevin_krenz Agreed. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@matt8bit What are some strategies you use to help them start? #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz @matt8bit Papert's orig studies were w/ young stds & Logo. CT makes advanced topics possible for young stds. #CompThinkChat
@matt8bit	Thinking logically to find solutions comes easier for some students than others. I'm wondering what factors lead to this... #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@matt8bit Agreed, in my experience, the girls love to know why and how and the ability to create is irresistibile. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@matt8bit Can't say I know, but I think CT helps Ss who are struggling with it by giving them a starting point. #compthinkchat
@matt8bit	@brokenairplane @kevin_krenz Papert's book "Mindstorms" is completely relevant - even today. Several CT concepts discussed. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@matt8bit @brokenairplane Added to my reading list. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	When starting with students (and yourself) start simple and start with what you are already doing and enhance it with CT #CompThinkChat
@matt8bit	Questioning & more questioning... Guiding them thru brainstorming. @kevin_krenz: What are some strategies you use? #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@matt8bit Papert's paper on the subject is fascinating with examples too! http://t.co/3T9hglps #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@matt8bit Pretty similar. I find that often students have ideas, but don't think that they are worth exploring. #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@matt8bit Then CT helps them build that idea into something more concrete and formal. #compthinkchat
@matt8bit	Great advice. -> @brokenairplane ...start simple & start w/ what you are already doing & enhance it w/ CT #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Or don't think their thoughts apply to school. #CompThinkChat
@matt8bit	RT @brokenairplane: @matt8bit Papert's paper on the subject is fascinating with examples too! http://t.co/3T9hglps #CompThinkChat
@matt8bit	RT @kevin_krenz: @matt8bit Then CT helps them build that idea into something more concrete and formal. #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Precisely - that their ideas are "mathematical" or "scientific". It's a confidence builder to validate. #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	#compthinkchat Let's go deeper into modeling with CT - what does this require of students?
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Plus working with data or real life situations shows them that they can use these tools to impact their world #CompThinkChat
@matt8bit	@kevin_krenz Good point. CT helps Ss bring their knowledge & ideas to a more manageable state for them 2 develop it further. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	Pattern recognition and dealing with "fuzziness" in data are difficult but necessary skills. #compthinkchat
@matt8bit	I think modeling in CT requires design and spatial thinking of students. #CompThinkChat
@matt8bit	RT @kevin_krenz: Pattern recognition and dealing with "fuzziness" in data are difficult but necessary skills. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz It can be as simple as brainstorming ideas to explain a topic e.g. motion, causes of war, spelling errors, etc #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@matt8bit I hadn't thought of spatial thinking. What do you have in mind? #compthinkchat
@OconWeirick	#compthinkchat Are we talking about making raw data into something meaningful, or manipulating data with some operations?
@kevin_krenz	@OconWeirick Hey Tony, welcome! I would say more of the former. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@OconWeirick Finding patterns in data for sure (if that's what you mean by meaningful) #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane I'm really interested in promoting CT in non-STEM areas. Perhaps that's a topic for another week! #compthinkchat
@matt8bit	@kevin_krenz In elem., Ss are still learning how to think about 2D & 3D shapes in their world. This impacts building models. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	CS + X for all X! RT @kevin_krenz: I'm really interested in promoting CT in non-STEM areas. Perhaps that's another week! #compthinkchat
@matt8bit	@kevin_krenz For example, 2nd graders asked to construct a box out of straws & paperclips typically make a flat square. #compthinkchat
@matt8bit	@kevin_krenz That's a simplified example, but they struggle with designing & constructing in a 3D space. #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@matt8bit Fascinating. It's easy to forget the levels of abstraction I take for granted. #compthinkchat
@weemooseus	RT @kevin_krenz: Hi all, and welcome to the inaugural #compthinkchat ! If you're new to Twitter chats, don't forget to include the hashtag in your tweets!
@matt8bit	RT @kevin_krenz: @matt8bit Fascinating. It's easy to forget the levels of abstraction I take for granted. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	We're almost out of time but I wanted to say 1st thanks to everyone joining the discussion! #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	2nd and archive of this chat will be at http://t.co/5wOluDph tomorrow #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	3rd please add topics and suggestions in the doc http://t.co/H0fdUUNm #CompThinkChat
@BeckyFisher73	@brokenairplane How did I miss #compthinkchat? Did @hendron or @manotalaiver catch it by any chance?
@kevin_krenz	@weemooseus Welcome! We're just about to wrap up, but please share any thoughts! #compthinkchat
@weemooseus	@kevin_krenz #compthinkchat We do modeling with middle school in our GUTS Club and high schoolers do it as part of Supercomputing Challenge.
@matt8bit	I have to sign off now, but thanks @kevin_krenz & @brokenairplane for a thought-provoking #CompThinkChat ! I'll join again next time.
@brokenairplane	@BeckyFisher73 @hendron @manotalaiver Don't worry we'll be back in 2 wks! It's the 1st one so we will see you next time #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@matt8bit Certainly, looking forward to the future chats! #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	Until next time! #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	#compthinkchat To summarize today's chat, we found a lot of value in how CT can teach modeling to students of all ages. #compthinkchat
@weemooseus	@kevin_krenz We use Starlogo TNG, Net Logo, and Java, depending upon the level of the students. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@weemooseus Very cool. What kind of projects do they tackle? #compthinkchat
@BeckyFisher73	Hey @cybraryman1 Talk with @brokenairplane: about adding #CompThinkChat to your list of educational chats - http://t.co/W4Phr1DK
@weemooseus	@kevin_krenz Project GUTS at http://t.co/twWSuK6R, Supercomputing Challenge at http://t.co/FBpuPF0M #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@weemooseus I'll check that out - looks very cool. #compthinkchat
@weemooseus	@kevin_krenz We use technology and math to model scientific problems, you can look at the high school projects online. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@weemooseus Why do think these programs are powerful? #compthinkchat
@weemooseus	@kevin_krenz Our focus this year is on infectious diseases, come to the kickoff! http://t.co/WTvx5MSY #CompThinkChat
@weemooseus	RT @BeckyFisher73: Hey @cybraryman1 Talk with @brokenairplane: about adding #CompThinkChat to your list of educational chats - http://t.co/W4Phr1DK
@kevin_krenz	@weemooseus Yeah, this week's topic was what aspects of CT do we want to see in Ss. What do these programs teach students? #compthinkchat
@cybraryman1	@BeckyFisher73 @brokenairplane Won't be able to add until GrandKid/GrandPet Camp ends. Need more details on #CompThinkChat
@weemooseus	@kevin_krenz Do you mean why do I support Project GUTS and Supercoomputing Challenge? #CompThinkChat (boy am I tired)
@kevin_krenz	@cybraryman1 @BeckyFisher73 @brokenairplane We'd just love to be added :-) . What details do you need? #compthinkchat
@weemooseus	@kevin_krenz Another team was featured when they modeled smoke dispersion from a proposed coal powerplant #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@weemooseus Very cool to reach that level of relevance and impact. #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@weemooseus I need to sign off, but looking forward to future chats - thanks for joining and sharing! #compthinkchat
@weemooseus	@kevin_krenz Ok, here is link to the archives. http://t.co/LCF3hbZl #CompThinkChat
@weemooseus	@kevin_krenz One hs team from a rural school changed how prairie fires were fought using modeling #CompThinkChat
@weemooseus	@BeckyFisher73 I was just on by chance and caught #CompThinkChat

[Phil Wagner]

This Twitter chat meets every two weeks, currently Wednesdays at 6 pm CST. Suggest other topics here: http://goo.gl/q3HPk 

Aug 21, 2012

Topic: How do you get started incorporating Computational Thinking in your classroom?

@kevin_krenz	Welcome to #compthinkchat! If you're newish to Twitter chats, don't forget to include the hashtag in your tweets.
@kevin_krenz	Tonight we'll be going for about 45 minutes. Please jump in with your thoughts/questions, or just say hi! #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	Tonight's question: how do you get started incorporating computational thinking (CT) in your classroom? #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	Some of you are wondering how to get started. For those of you who have, please share thoughts/links/ideas #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane This'll be the first year that I make a real effort. I'm planning on introducing Python to my alg 2 classes. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@emwdx posted this (http://t.co/G8ytVMpt) saying he was going to try it. Would you consider using programming in class? #compthinkchat
@mpershan	@kevin_krenz How about asking kids to write pseudo-code algorithms for processes in your subject? No need for tech. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Do you have an example or topic in math you think Python will be especially useful for helping them understand? #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	Pssst - #mathchat & #scichat folks: there's a computational thinking chat going on! Right now! #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@mpershan Absolutely. It's a great starting point but if you have access to it kids love seeing their ideas in action. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@mpershan Project Euler is great for writing out ideas and later trying them out #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@mpershan I've definitely tried that, mixed results. I like it being able to run! It's somehow more "real". #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	But I still loved asking my students to come up with a fraction adding algorithm and they loved it! (No tech involved) #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Not sure yet. Considering solving linear equations in general form to start. #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Wait, not real sure what I meant there by "general form". #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@mpershan Have you tried this? What have you found? #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	Check out VPython as well as my Slope Art project http://t.co/Ad3ZLfWi it was great b/c the students were teaching each other #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Another idea I've had is finding the roots of quadratic equations. #compthinkchat
@mpershan	@kevin_krenz Tried it as an intro to my programming class. Yeah, didn't feel great. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz But I think Geogebra is just as powerful at getting those ideas and seeing the patterns (using the sliders). #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@mpershan What do you mean didn't feel great? #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Yep, that's another tool I've used, and will continue to use more. #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane I think you have the most experience teaching CT. How have you introduced the idea of algorithms? #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz I don't call it that (too jargony in a math class) I say lets come up with a set of instructions. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Then I give them cases where their instructions break and they refine it. #CompThinkChat
@mpershan	Another thing that I've done in class is asked kids to correct code. You don't need tech for that either. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Finally I ask if we can make it into a loop/function to tie it into other functions e.g. slope and fractions #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@mpershan Great point, and modifying already working code is useful as well for what-if questions #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@mpershan @brokenairplane I've thought about having Ss create algorithms, and then having other groups test them (by hand). #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane @mpershan Agreed - I think that's how I'll intro my students to code. #compthinkchat
@mpershan	@kevin_krenz @brokenairplane I'm imagining a bit of code implementing an attractive but false algorithm for something. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz @mpershan Small groups (2) work great for that one tests and one gives feedback. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	It helps them understand the concept when they talk through it. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@mpershan Tell me more about that "false algorithm" #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@mpershan @brokenairplane Oooh, I like that. Any specific ideas? #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	So Computational Thinking lends itself well it seems to STEM but what about Humanities? What are some examples? #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	RT @mpershan: What about sqrting both sides of an eqtn as first step in solving rad eqtn? #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@mpershan @brokenairplane That'd be good. You could also exclude special cases, like where the denom = 0. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	An important distinction I would like to make is that the goal shouldn't just be getting the answer/calculating #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Good point - could you explain that a bit more? #compthinkchat
@occam98	@brokenairplane I think some of the digital humanities work to analyze texts, build concordances, etc, is a good example #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	CT (according to Papert) should be about "making ideas more explanatory and powerful". #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@occam98 @brokenairplane I was thinking about comparing word/phrase choices in digitial texts. Could be powerful! #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	So could the students have a loop that stops at 0s and spits them out and then make that work for any quadratic? #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@occam98 How could a Humanities teacher bring that to their class beyond just talking about it? #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@occam98 I've seen your simulations could a humanities teacher do something similar? #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane I would be really interested in how students would try to solve quadratics, algorithmically. #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane @occam98 I know there are theories that Shakespeare 'borrowed' some material - bring that up? #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz I like to think about it in terms of @ddmeyer WCYDWT. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz How could they approach a quadratic as a project as opposed to a problem to be solved? #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	RT @brokenairplane: @kevin_krenz How could they approach a quadratic as a project as opposed to a problem to be solved? #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@emwdx Why do you think that was? Could it be done? #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Love the question, not sure how to respond. #compthinkchat
@emwdx	@brokenairplane Some insisted on doing it algebraically first - seemed 'better' that way. It was also day 1 with python. #CompThinkChat
@emwdx	My goal in using #python in my classes is to first show how it can help us do what we already can do, more efficiently. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@emwdx And then extending to using it to do what we can't? Or don't want to! #compthinkchat
@emwdx	The issue in humanities is that there aren't as many algorithmic processes. Perhaps adding punctuation or capitalizing? #CompThinkChat
@emwdx	@kevin_krenz Yes - as soon as possible, showing what it can do that we couldn't do before. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Can you think of real world situation (e.g. economy) where zeros would be useful #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Easy one would be trajectories, but I'm sure we could steal something from economics! #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	#compthinkchat That was a quick 45 min. To wrap up, what's one thing you can/will do to introduce CT this fall in your classes?
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Lots of open census data out there... #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane On a sidenote, I'm think about creating a spreadsheet with good data sources out there… #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@kevin_krenz My one thing: have students break processes down into steps, and then test them! #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	My other thing: have students work with data a lot more. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz I've added my fav sources at the bottom of my CT Resources doc https://t.co/vjrI9g5A #CompThinkChat
@emwdx	Jumping in and trying it. Be warned though - students need to see CT as useful, not just an arbitrary exercise. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	Great guiding principle! RT @emwdx: Be warned though - students need to see CT as useful, not just an arbitrary exercise. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	#compthinkchat Thanks to everyone who participated today! The next chat will be Wed, Sept 5.
@brokenairplane	Be sure to leave your ideas for the next topic in two weeks! I'm always happy to brainstorm about implementation and lessons. #CompThinkChat
@emwdx	@occam98 Here is what I am including as part of our activities today: http://t.co/HjAHzL9r #CompThinkChat
@emwdx	@occam98 I am going back and forth between wanting to have students use my own programs to see the utility… #COmpThinkChat
@emwdx	…(continuing previous thought) and having them write their own programs. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@emwdx It'd be cool to just show them. "Hey, here's how I did the opener." Do that a few times until they ask how to do it. #compthinkchat
@emwdx	@kevin_krenz That's a great idea - never underestimate the 'how did you do that' factor #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@emwdx Exactly. I think I'm going to try that. Hopefully it works! #compthinkchat
@gcschmit	First time using VPython in AP Physics B today. Ss enjoyed exploring length contraction script and making changes. #CompThinkChat #physicsed

 

[Phil Wagner]

This Twitter chat meets every two weeks, currently Wednesdays at 4 pm CST. Suggest other topics here: http://goo.gl/q3HPk 

Sep 5, 2012

Topic: Show and tell!

@brokenairplane	Today is show and tell on #CompThinkChat at 6pm CST! Please share your ideas,links, and lessons during the chat or throughout the day.
@kevin_krenz	Hi all, and welcome to #compthinkchat ! If you're newish to Twitter, don't forget to include the hashtag in your tweets!
@brokenairplane	Welcome to #CompThinkChat! Today is show & tell: share a resource, link, idea about Computational Thinking. Be sure to use the hashtag.
@brokenairplane	No need to have anything fleshed out go ahead and share whatever you have even if it is only a "wouldn't it be cool if" #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	I'll start with something that I used today - a short piece of Python code in stats: https://t.co/BiUywIgR #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	We were trying to answer the question - how long does it (normally) take to roll doubles? #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz That sounds similar to the question I had about how many aces do you need to win at war http://t.co/pmafXL2e #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz How did it go? #CompThinkChat
@THINKERSMiTH	I'm always happy to share my CT game at http://t.co/ih4LlfNq . It's for 8-12 yr old girls, but fun for all! #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	RT @THINKERSMiTH: I'm always happy to share my CT game at http://t.co/ih4LlfNq . It's for 8-12 yr old girls, but fun for all! #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane It went well. The Ss' first approach was analytic until I encouraged them to generate some data (manually). #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@THINKERSMiTH I'm surprised you put an age on it. Some of the most fun activities are redesigned children's games/activities. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane I then followed it up by showing what I did - use Python. Got many interested in learning how to do that. #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@THINKERSMiTH Very cool - I was playing with that last week! #compthinkchat
@THINKERSMiTH	@kevin_krenz Would it surprise you to know that adults take twice as long as 3rd graders to master the Game w/o Instructions? #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz What would be the next step? Do they have any questions they would like to pursue more? #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@THINKERSMiTH I'd actually say no, but that's b/c I just did this with my classes: http://t.co/MiErrZiV #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz (e.g how many dice are needed until you get two that match 90% of the time) #CompThinkChat
@THINKERSMiTH	@kevin_krenz Bookmarking... #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane I would love for them to start tweaking the code to answer questions like that. #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Ultimately, I want them looking for more general patterns in the graph that is generated. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz It takes practice to get them asking q's like that/capable of moding the code. Consistent practice helps #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@THINKERSMiTH It's a fascinating video where a similar result is shown. But that's only part of it. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	Luckly with Python they can try a lot of things out quickly and in a class where stds can share findings easily it goes fast #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Which is why I introduced this on day two! #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Yes but being able to predict it with code and letting the graph confirm it is a big wow for them #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Good point. One of my goals is to end up discovering the formula for geometric probabilities. #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	Pssst, #matchat - #compthinkchat is going on right now! Topic: computational thinking show & tell!
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Do you have a favorite CT lesson that you've taught? #compthinkchat
@LMSA_CS	I teach ECS, now Taste of Computing in my intro course. Absolutely love some of the ideas in it: http://t.co/GvYdnrf1 #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz I put everything into the science section of the Exploring Computational Thinking site #CompThinkChat (except for Slope Art)
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz http://t.co/nCAeeN6U there's a lot more ideas that I've not turned into lessons yet though #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@LMSA_CS Welcome, & thanks for sharing! #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Yeah, I'm there with you. #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane I've never looked at the science ones b/c I teach math, but I think I could still use some of them. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@LMSA_CS Awesome, what have you enjoyed about ECS (Exploring Computer Science I assume http://t.co/k78hPpmi ?) #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Oh yeah. I taught an integrated science/math course so there is overlap in the ECT science lesssons #CompThinkChat
@LMSA_CS	@brokenairplane I love how much it puts inquiry at the forefront of every lesson. #CompThinkChat
@LMSA_CS	@brokenairplane And it doesn't assume any knowledge, which I've found opens up the classroom to a wider audience. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane I didn't know that there was a data analysis subject hidden under science. Really interesting lessons. #compthinkchat
@kevin_krenz	@LMSA_CS @brokenairplane Very cool! What kind of tools/technologies have you been using? #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Yes, modern science is all about interpreting data so we felt that would be critical to address. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Absolutely agree - could it be cross-listed with math so that stats teacher like me don't miss it? #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Great point, I'll make that change thanks! #CompThinkChat
@LMSA_CS	@kevin_krenz @brokenairplane I've been playing around with http://t.co/XTrrgnzk for post Scratch. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@LMSA_CS @brokenairplane How has your experience been with Scratch? I'm hoping to incorporate it into my geometry classes. #compthinkchat
@LMSA_CS	@kevin_krenz @brokenairplane And I'm working on curriculum to build sensors with Arduino that connect to Ushahidi/crowdmap #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@LMSA_CS Awesome, what data do you plan on collecting? #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	Feel free to keep tweeting but the official time for #CompThinkChat has come to an end. Great convo! Archive will be up tomorrow.
@LMSA_CS	@brokenairplane Ideally the students will come up with data but initial ideas are around soil test at local urban gardens #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	Now that people are back in school is this the best time for #CompThinkChat? I know many would like to share about Computational Thinking.
@kevin_krenz	@LMSA_CS @brokenairplane Very cool. I would love to hear about that if you try it out. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@LMSA_CS Great, they'll learn a lot about standardizing data as well. It will be a great experience for them. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane I was thinking the same thing. Maybe move it back an hour or two? #compthinkchat
@LMSA_CS	@kevin_krenz @brokenairplane Do either of you have any resources for getting kids started with Arduino? #CompThinkChat
@LMSA_CS	@brokenairplane I agree… once basketball season picks up I won't ever be home this early. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@LMSA_CS @brokenairplane I don't. It's on my list of things I need to play with. #compthinkchat
@brokenairplane	@LMSA_CS I was actually making a blog post about that very thing, DM me an email address and I'll send you a bunch #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@occam98 @physicistdanny would you be available for #CompThinkChat if we moved it back to 4 or 5pm CST?
@LMSA_CS	I've got to run from #CompThinkChat for the night, but I'm glad I finally got involved! Have a good night all.
@kevin_krenz	And that'll wrap up #compthinkchat ! Stay tuned for the next topic, and likely a new time. Thanks @brokenairplane @LMSA_CS @THINKERSMiTH
@JanetLDee	RT @THINKERSMiTH: I'm always happy to share my CT game at http://t.co/fraWFPuh . It's for 8-12 yr old girls, but fun for all! #CompThinkChat

[Phil Wagner]

This Twitter chat meets every two weeks, currently Wednesdays at 6 pm CST. Suggest other topics here: http://goo.gl/q3HPk 

Sep 19, 2012

Topic: How do you develop a lesson involving Computational Thinking?

@kevin_krenz	Welcome to tonight's #CompThinkChat ! If you're new-ish to Twitter chats, don't forget to include the hashtag.
@kevin_krenz	The topic: How do you develop a lesson with computational thinking? #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	Sometimes I start with a cool idea (backward design) other times I start with a skill I want them to learn (forward design) #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	To get started, let's see who is here! Tweet your current role. I'm a high school math teacher in Wisconsin. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane I've been working more from a standpoint of redesigning approaches to "normal" ways of doing things. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	Instructional Designer/Curriculum Dev at Google (formerly Math/Sci/Robotics teacher) #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz That's a great point! Taking something you are already do & enhancing it with CT is really useful #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane It's easier to do on the fly, but not ideal. Anything I can make more data based is a starting point. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	Another useful way to dev a CT lesson is to think of stds working on projects or bigger questions as opposed to exercises. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane I know you like Papert, but is there a breakdown of CT or resources you use often when designing lessons? #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	If your students are collecting a few data points see what would happen if they do (could) collect a lot of data. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Hmm well we have our definition of CT at the the website (http://t.co/Nxom3USp) #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Can you be more specific about what resources would help you? #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Right, but this is quite different than some others, like ISTE's. Do you find Google's more useful? #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Some kind of workshop, virtual or otherwise, would be awesome. Create CT lessons with other teachers. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	ISTE is approaching it from a different standpoint. ISTE's is more than useful. #CompThinkChat.
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz What would u do at that workshop? What would be helpful to u? I'd imagine it would be pretty easy to get going #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Pick a specific topic, and design a lesson jointly with other educators, prob with Google+ Hangouts. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane The different questions/ideas would be great to hear; most of my CT-type planning is currently done alone. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Fantastic idea. What topic would you like to address 1st & we can schedule the hangout/Google Doc (asynchronous) #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Unfortunately way too much planning is done alone CT or otherwise. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane I'd suggest something tough to teach with context, like graphing polynomials in algebra 2. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz BTW I'd suggest @occam98's post on a similar topic http://t.co/rkTrAIO9 #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz I had students once make predictions of when the economy would turn around. Nice little polynomial there #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane @occam98 I'll definitely take a look at that - thanks! #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Hmm, I like that. What did you give them to get started? #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz I think it was employment data, S&P, etc other economic indicators #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Real data rarely fits a curve so stds can try to approximate and determine the equation using Geogebra or Desmos #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane This is exactly what I'm talking about - learn from others about CT design. Now I have somewhere to start. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Awesome. I wonder if a doc would be better than a hangout so ppl can add examples over time. Let's give it a try #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@luciente11 Great question! It's computational thinking. It's a different approach to learning. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@luciente11 Here's Google's take: http://t.co/mq5eQLfH #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@luciente11 And here's ISTE's: http://t.co/wf2N9VLb #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Let's try both. There's something special about real time, virtual collaboration. To me, anyway. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Agree, but finding a time for educators can be difficult (as we can see in today's #CompThinkChat) Happy to try though.
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane Ha ha. Yeah, we need to figure out a better time. Or something. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@brokenairplane I'll get something started, tweet it out, and post it in the ECT forums. #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	@luciente11 No problem. I would check out Google's bank of lessons - it's pretty incredible. #CompThinkChat
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz Great, it would be awesome to see this catch on. @teamclaco #CompThinkChat
@kevin_krenz	#CompThinkChat I think that'll wrap up today. Excited about what we came away with, even with it only being me and @brokenairplane .
@brokenairplane	@kevin_krenz :) Always a good time! As you said I think something cool will come from this. #CompThinkChat