Universal Design for Learning: Coding Strategies to Engage K-5 Learners

Outline

Total Session Time: 60 minutes

1. Introduction (5 minutes)

*Brief introduction of the presenter and session objectives.
*Engage participants by asking them to share their current experiences with coding education in a quick roundtable format.
*Set the tone for collaboration and excitement throughout the session.

2. The Importance of Engaging Coding Activities (10 minutes)

*Content: Present the significance of interactive coding activities for K-8 students.
*Engagement: Use a brief poll (via mobile devices) to gauge participants' familiarity with different coding activities.
*Activity: Share examples of successful coding activities (games, puzzles, storytelling) through multimedia presentation, illustrating their impact on student engagement.

3. Interactive Coding Demonstration (15 minutes)

*Content: Showcase a specific interactive coding activity (e.g., a simple coding game or a storytelling project).
*Engagement: Participants will work in pairs to try out the coding activity on provided devices or through a platform like Scratch.
*Activity: Facilitate peer-to-peer interaction as participants share their thoughts on the activity's effectiveness and potential adaptations for their classrooms.

4. Evidence-Based Strategies for Engagement (10 minutes)

*Content: Introduce evidence-based strategies for enhancing student engagement in coding education, referencing John Hattie’s and Robert Marzano’s research.
*Engagement: Use real-life scenarios or case studies to illustrate these strategies.
*Activity: Conduct a group discussion where participants brainstorm ways to implement these strategies in their classrooms. Share ideas on a collaborative digital platform (e.g., Google Jamboard) for real-time feedback.

5. Cultivating a Growth Mindset (10 minutes)

*Content: Discuss the principles of a growth mindset and how they apply to coding education.
*Engagement: Facilitate a reflective exercise where participants write down their own challenges in teaching coding and share how they can reframe these challenges using growth mindset language.
*Activity: Use role-play scenarios where participants act out a coding challenge and practice encouraging a growth mindset in students.

6. Creating Actionable Plans (5 minutes)

*Content: Guide participants in developing a plan to integrate the strategies discussed in their own classrooms.
*Engagement: Provide a structured worksheet for participants to outline their next steps.
*Activity: Encourage participants to pair up and share their plans with a partner for feedback and ideas.

7. Conclusion and Q&A (5 minutes)

*Recap key takeaways from the session.
*Open the floor for questions and encourage participants to share their thoughts on how they plan to implement what they’ve learned.
*Provide additional resources and contact information for follow-up questions.

Supporting research

Supporting Research:

Pedro Noguera
Noguera's work emphasizes the role of equitable educational practices and the importance of engaging students in meaningful learning experiences. His research discusses how engagement in learning is critical for student success.

John Hattie
Hattie’s research focuses on what works best in education, highlighting the impact of effective teaching strategies. His book, "Visible Learning," provides evidence-based insights into how hands-on, interactive activities significantly enhance student engagement and achievement.

Robert Marzano
Marzano is renowned for his research on effective teaching practices. His research outlines strategies that promote student engagement and success, including formative assessment and collaborative learning.

Carol Dweck
Dweck’s concept of the growth mindset is fundamental to fostering resilience and a love for learning in students. Her book, "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success," explores how teaching students to embrace challenges and view failures as learning opportunities can significantly impact their academic performance.

Jo Boaler
Boaler’s research focuses on mathematics education and how to make learning more engaging and effective. Her research discusses the importance of creating a positive learning environment and the role of inquiry-based learning in fostering student engagement.

These resources collectively underscore the significance of engaging, equitable, and growth-oriented practices in education, particularly in coding and STEM fields, making them relevant to the objectives of the session.