CSEdWeek Special: Technology then, now, and later

 

Human computers changed the world. Just ask NASA! One of the most famous of these incredible people was NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson. I thought I knew a lot about her but I still learned a couple of interesting things from this biography on NASA's website. Maybe you or your students would like to check it out for CS Education Week. (Also, I will be adding the "Hidden Figures" book into my classroom library soon.)

Up early up hills
Spend your youth to pay the bills
Each generation makes a trade
Top floor brass tacks
Holds the hand that holds the ax
Acts like my dues have not been paid
But pay attention now when I say
Full automation isn't happening today...

~Garth Brooks "Man Against Machine"  (A little more about this song.)

For those who are familiar with and/or use Newsela, there is a new article posted about the integration of technology to assist in preserving Indigenous language: "Tech breathes new life into endangered Indigenous languages." Not everyone loves the integration of technology tools to help preserve Indigenous languages. This is an interesting read and opens the door for potentially good discussions. I assigned mine using Formative and added a question: Do you think assistance from technology in attempts to preserve Indigenous languages is a good thing? Please explain your response. (Why or why not?)

So, what does this all have to do with each other? Finding the balance of technology integration and understanding that the technology of today is vastly different from the technology of the past are important. (Note: even an abacus is considered technology.) Helping guide our students through their technology use and understanding; allowing them to develop their own opinions on what is useful, and how; and preparing for the future as best we can takes work.

I have been writing daily messages to my colleagues to share tips, tricks, tools, resources, and activities with them for CS-EdWeek. Yesterday, I shared the code.org activity AI for Oceans which allows a chance to see how AI programming works. Remember, much of what we use in the way of tech tools, computers, and especially "artificial intelligence" is only as smart as the programming. Check out what happens with the AI for Oceans based on the data input. Have a little fun with it and let me know how it looks when you're finished.

Have you checked out Seasons of CS yet? Lots of great PD opportunities and more.

Returning to the EduAwesomeAdventure writing

 As you may (or may not) have noticed, I have been on a bit of a hiatus from blogging here. It was unplanned and days turned into weeks which turned into months which ultimately turned into years: three to be exact. My apologies.

Around the time I applied for grad school, I also started working on writing/developing my book idea. My book writing got set aside for awhile in time, but I got into grad school. I have been the last (nearly) three years studying in the MSIS distance education program through the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. This week, I have completed by last ever presentation in my last ever class meeting of my last ever class. I have a couple of papers to finish up, but otherwise, I have completed my Master's of Science in Information Sciences. I have my announcements ready to go out and my class ring ordered. I just need to put the finishing touches on a couple of things and get through this last week.

With that, I plan to send out graduation announcements and Christmas cards over the next couple of weeks while I transition back to doing more of the writing I love dearly and have missed. So, if you are returning to read my writing, I am grateful for you. If you are a new reader, I welcome you. If there are any topics you're specifically looking for, please let me know. I hope to also get back to my book writing as I have a goal of finishing the book I started out working on over three years ago.

If you are interested in some of the writing I completed while taking classes at UT these past few years, please check out eduawesomeadventure.net which is, of course, a sibling page to this site.

I have lots to share. My first post to follow this one will relate to CS Week, so stay tuned! Again, welcome back readers!