Blog 4 - 4P01

    Near the end of my Higher Level Thinking in Science and Mathematics course, we overviewed technology and STEM education. After our group discussion on chapters four and seven we watched a video on Design-based learning inside of the Pine View Middle School. We watched as students utilized an engineering software to help students build bridges and structures. We also watched as students “flew planes” in a sense as they utilized a computer software with a plane interface. I was absolutely shocked and amazed, my school had a very different interface. We had a very low emphasis on technology, we had one woodshop/technology class where students built art with wood blocks and learnt how to code basic information on computers, which I did not take. Therefore, going into university I had no conceptual experience with technology coding software or any building experience. I found this difficult when entering into my first year math courses where I had to use Maple a coding software. I struggled initially as I had no experience with any type of technology in that manner. I called my brother with a software engineering degree for help, although I believe education should be my resource rather than family. I thought of my other peers in the class and peers in any computer science class and realized the challenges they may be facing as well.

In class we mentioned how coding is now implemented into the elementary curriculum. Which made me wonder about how well suited these students will be for their future. As their future educator, I am unprepared; I have only done a very limited amount of coding. This course has allowed me to learn about Scratch, where I played around with pattern coding, a turtle going on a walk and square patterns. I found this experience incredibly beneficial as I now have a software to use in my classroom as well as work with to grow my knowledge. Reflecting on what I have learned, I feel as though I have much more to learn to become a proper educator for my students, and am worried this will be my only useful course to learn about coding. I, therefore would like to expand upon it and learn more about software such as Scratch to be prepared for my students.

My students are going to expect me to understand and be able to answer all their questions. I feel as though I need to reach out to schools such as Pine View Middle School and understand how they have implemented so much technology in their schools, where they locate their software and how they implement them in the classroom. Reflecting on the way their school is run versus my own I understand the drastic gaps in schools and children's access to coding and technology in the classroom. Therefore, as an educator, I would like to educate myself and grow my understanding of technology and coding so that my students can have the best STEM learning opportunities and not face limitations.