Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Computer Science & Making Inspired by Literature - Red Clover Books
Friday, September 27, 2024
AI Vermont for Elementary Educators
On Saturday, September 28 AI-Vermont will be hosting elementary educators for a day long exploration of artificial intelligence. When asked to prepare an interactive experience for educators, I thought of the different ways I've used AI as an educator to assist me with instructional design and which one of these might be most useful to elementary educators.
But soon I found myself drawn back to using AI and computer science to CREATE, MAKE, and LEARN that AI is not magic and computer science skills are still relevant skills to be teaching our students.
So in our workshop, we will create a "Snap Chat" like project that uses pre-trained models and two extensions (Video Sensing and Face Detection) available in the Machine Learning for Kids version of Scratch. All the resources can be found on the Machine Learning for Kids website.
We'll also use the website to experience Training an AI model by collecting images as data and using them to Train and Test the model to see if it can differentiate between our hats and our shoes. My hope is that this will allow participants to better understand what is meant when we talk about "training" the AI and see how easily biased the data can be. I do believe that our elementary students should be aware of what's under the hood with the AI features in the tools and toys that are increasingly becoming part of their lives.
Join me for this interactive mini experience with AI using these slides
Friday, August 30, 2024
Create Make Learn Fall Course launches Sept 21
Many of you have asked us to offer a 'non-summer' version of the Create Make Learn Institute. We are excited to announce that this FALL will be the first FALL Create Make Learn Institute kicking off at The Generator Makerspace in Burlington, Vermont on September 21.
Yes, it's quick turnaround time, but we could think of no better time than Fall to come spend 4 Saturday's creating and making with colleagues as you create confidence with Makerspace and STEAM tools.
The course will model personalized learning practices and provide you will opportunities to create confidence with the following topics:
- Create and Practical Problem Solving
- Design Thinking
- Cardboard Tools
- Laser Cutting
- 3D Printing
- Vinyl/Craft Cutters (i.e. Cricut)
- Circuits
- Makey Makey, Microbits & Micro-controllers
- Physical Computing
- Create With Code
- Hand Tools
- Meaningful Making
- STEAM Infused Project Based Learning
Saturday, July 13, 2024
Cambridge Rotary Sponsors Girls and STEM Project
"Rotary is a global network of 1.4 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves."
Through their support of Girls and STEM, our local Rotary clubs are indeed creating 'problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action". For years, the Rotary Club of Newport has made it possible for young women like, Sydney (see video below) to spend a week with their peers creating confidence with technology through creative and practical problem solving at TechSavvy Girls summer camp.
Thursday, June 27, 2024
AI-Vermont - Playground Session: Creative Computing with Block-Based Code and AI
I'm super excited to be part of the AI-Vermont Playground where we will use an accessible block based platform for engaging students with creative coding: Creaticode.com
Use these slides to engage in our playground session.
AI for Educators Discussion at MGI
I got the opportunity to lead a discussion on AI at Middle Grades Institute this week.
The goal for our conversation was to connect with thought partners on the topic of AI in education.
And those who identified with the Southern Compass were eager to ask some important questions about diversity, inclusion and equity.
MGC Follow-up events on AI (tba)
Create Make Learn
(focus on Creativity & Constructionist uses of AI)AOE - grant for (ISTE AI course)
Vermont-CSTA (VT CS Teachers Association)
If you'd like to use these discussion starter slides with your colleagues, you may use them or join our discussion.
Thursday, May 16, 2024
Dynamic Landscape 2024
I'm looking forward to sharing with colleagues at
Dynamic Landscape Conference 2024
May 16 and 17
Creative Computing using Turtle Stitch and Turtle Art
and export your code in a format that can work with embroidery machines, craft cutters (i.e. Cricut), laser cutters, and 3D printers. Teaching computational thinking by programming Turtles using Logo was part of Seymour Papert's work more than 50 years ago and continues to be an accessible and pedagogically sound approach to including computational thinking in your learning environment. Let's create with Code!
Create an AI chatbot using
Scratch and AI code blocks
from Creaticode
Looking for a way to introduce AI to your students by putting them in the drivers seats as creators, designers, and coders of AI apps? Then join us for this hands-on session where YOU will create your own chatbot using SCRATCH and AI blocks. Creaticode is a Scratch-based accessible tool for middle and high school students that can help you design project based learning where students are using and creating their own AI applications that are fueled by wonder, curiosity, and inquiry. You will leave this session with a working Chatbot that can be used in any content area.