TIES 17

Student tech teams leverage the power of student knowledge and enthusiasm to support technology in their schools. From help desks, to rollouts, to repairs, student tech teams are helping teachers and students use technology, while giving participants valuable leadership and service experience. Come meet student tech-team participants (from elementary to high school) and their leaders during this session of the playground.

There is a movement in education called “the maker movement” that is designed around the idea of engaging students with critical thinking and creativity through designing and making things. Schools around the country are incorporating makerspaces in school library media centers and other flexible learning areas. From simple non-tech items like play-doh and yarn, to high-tech items like 3D printers and micro-controllers, makerspaces can be built anywhere. Stop by and play in a makerspace while talking with educators helping to move the maker movement forward.

There is a global movement to include coding in the classroom, fueled by the idea that every student should have the opportunity to learn computer science. Initiatives like Hour of Code are introducing tens of millions of students to computational thinking, and there are many other programs and initiatives that are helping teachers bring coding to the classroom. This portion of the playground will feature educators involved with varied coding programs and age groups. Talk with them and leave with ways to implement coding in your school!

Play in learning environments is essential, and gives students opportunities to engage in creative inquiry and exploration. While playful learning certainly doesn’t require technology, it seems that every day there is a new gadget, game, and gizmo to foster and inspire student learning. Chat with some experienced educators and explore some of these tools that allow students to learn through play, like Osmo, Makey-Makey, Spheros, Ozobots, and more in this portion of the playground.