Recent articles
10 easy steps to start coding with Google CS First
11/29/2018
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Robotics
In Greenfield Union School District where I teach fifth grade, I’m known as a bit of a technology enthusiast. This means I’m always excited about new ways to integrate tech in the classroom…
Make CS accessible to all students with physical computing
09/14/2018
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Robotics, STEM & STEAM
The notion that computer science education is essential for all is picking up steam in the United States; however, we still are a long way from making it accessible and equitable for all.…
12 Competitions To Get Your Students Fired Up About STEM
10/25/2022
Topics: Coding & robotics, Robotics, STEM & STEAM
Quick! How do you get students interested in STEM?
The answer, unfortunately, isn’t easy to pinpoint. With the exception of a small number of math, science and computer whizzes, most middle and high…
Students build coding skills block by block
04/19/2018
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Gaming, Robotics
New knowledge is constructed by building on what we already know, making connections by tinkering with new combinations of familiar blocks.
In the same way that a musician improvises new melodies, or a poet constructs new juxtapositions of sounds, words and images, students…
Computer Programming in 4 Steps
07/13/2022
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Robotics
If your school is still teaching core computer science (CS) concepts and practices under the umbrella of career and technical education (CTE) or…
Engage Learners With Coding and Robotics
10/31/2020
Topics: Coding & robotics, Robotics
On a visit to a class in Sitka, Alaska, we watched second grade students gain incredible experiences in computer science skills. The teacher, Cindy Duncan, believes in teaching young children to code, so she…
Weigh in on the ISTE Standards for Administrators
12/18/2017
Topics: Assistive and adaptive technologies, Augmented reality, Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Digital Citizenship, Digital storytelling, Education leadership, Gamification, Gaming, Literacies, Makerspaces, Personalized Learning, professional learning, Project-based learning, Robotics, STEM & STEAM
“Leaders get people moving. They energize and mobilize. They take people and organizations to places they have never…
Teach kids computer science through design and inquiry
12/04/2017
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Gaming, Robotics
I first discovered computer science (CS) and coding more than 20 years ago while completing my undergraduate work. Little did I know that one day CS would be the …
3 powerful words can unlock computer science success
07/31/2019
Topics: Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Gaming, Robotics
I was reminded recently of the three powerful words that capture the everyday miracles of learning and teaching. It happened as my sixth graders were just beginning to create ordered and unordered lists during their first lessons in HTML. All at once, I heard a chorus of voices exclaim…
Learning happens in a zigzag and that's OK
06/24/2017
Topics: Assistive and adaptive technologies, Augmented reality, Coding & robotics, Computational Thinking, Digital Citizenship, Digital storytelling, Gamification, Gaming, ISTE Conference & Expo, Literacies, Makerspaces, Personalized Learning, professional learning, Project-based learning, Robotics, STEM & STEAM
Jad Abumrad is quick to say he doesn’t feel comfortable giving educators advice, and yet his career in radio touches on many topics educators are familiar with.
Tinkering. Curiosity. Messy experiences. Failing forward. Transformation.
Abumrad, host and creator…