Summer break - the time of year that many students find themselves with nothing to do. As a result, the first few weeks of school are often spent reviewing previous learned concepts. For the last two years, my department has tried to combat this issue by providing technology camps for students. We strive to provide learning activities that are highly engaging and allow students to use the 4 Cs - collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication. Our topics have included makerspace activities, coding with spheros, green screen video making, altered reality, and STEAM activities. In each camp, students usually complete activities as a team. The conversations are priceless. Not only do you hear the typical social conversations but woven in all of that are discussions that utilize their critical thinking skills to solve problems as well as designing final products. The excitement in their voices at the end of the day/camp is evidence that we achieved our goals.
In addition to hosting camps for students, we invite our teachers to join in the fun. This year, we changed it up a bit from the traditional professional development. We had our teachers become students and engage in all of the activities side by side with the children. The interactions were profound. In many instances, the students were in a position to teach the teacher. Not only will the students remember this for a long time, the teacher gained some insight into integrating new ideas into their instruction to engage students.
In addition to hosting camps for students, we invite our teachers to join in the fun. This year, we changed it up a bit from the traditional professional development. We had our teachers become students and engage in all of the activities side by side with the children. The interactions were profound. In many instances, the students were in a position to teach the teacher. Not only will the students remember this for a long time, the teacher gained some insight into integrating new ideas into their instruction to engage students.