Our Project TACTIC team is hard at work developing pedagogical strategies that support all learners, including those with disabilities. We would love to hear about other folks who are doing similar work. 

Interesting video and ideas. I like the teaching challenges you discuss as a means for PD for a wider range of teachers.

Maya:  Excellent video.  What challenges have teachers faced, if any, in using these pedagogues in their classes?  How long does it take them to feel comfortable with these approaches?

One way to reach a broad audience of educators and give them credit for their work is through micro credentials and badges. Would the of use either of strategies be something you would consider?

When thinking about the push for more CS in elementary schools and the CS for All movement, how are you going to ensure this will reach everyone in a school and not just the students of the teachers who are interested in implementation?

Hey Maya,

Thanks for sharing this video. It's great to see what you folks are up to. Questions:

1) The video mentioned teaching debugging explicitly. Just curious: what specific content are you teaching in regard to debugging strategies? Also, any data yet on whether or not teaching that explicitly makes a difference (and compared to what)?

2) The video says for all, but are the tools/approaches you are using BVI accessible or is your intent to target certain kinds of students?

Nice explanation of 1. learner variability 2. authentic collaboration and 3 explicit instruction vs creativity balance. I would like to understand 3 through some specific examples. I have always struggled with 3. And also in doing so the coaching has to be personalized more if one allowed wilder creativity - also means that failure can happen ...how do you balance that part that the student succeeds? Does succeed mean more learning - what about learning through failure - or - mistake making? When is collaboration not useful? I would like to see the text that was scrolling (it was very interesting) in greater detail - where can i get to see that portion?

Hi Maya - great video. We have also been finding a connection between CT and at-risk learners in our work with the game Zoombinis. Have you found strategies that have been able to highlight the cognitive assets that some students with learning differences have that overlap with CT skills (e.g. systematic thinking, creative problem-solving)? Love your work!!!

Hello!  This was a great video to really showcase the benefits of combining collaboration and instruction. The students (and teachers) are clearly engaged in their learning.  I like how you mentioned there are strategies provided for teachers if they are struggling with the process. I agree with another comment that the text seemed really helpful and didn't know if there was a way to get a copy of that. Well done!

When you said "teaching to debug" ... I thought, aha! There is a big part of the bridge between "explicit instruction" and "creativity."   (I provide academic support to community college students. Learning to "debug"  -- to figure out how to get where you need to go and where things are breaking down -- is a pretty huge life skill... and thought pattern that can be taught, I'm thinking...)

Hi Maya, 

Thank you for sharing your project.  I really appreciate how thoughtful you and your team are in disseminating lessons learned in a useful format for teachers. 

I am curious about the collaborative computing observation instrument you mentioned in your video and if it could be applied to the informal learning environment of a museum.  Would you be willing to share it (when you are ready) or point me to a paper that describes it?

I love that you are including students with exceptionalities. Far too often they are over looked when it comes to teaching CT or other skills, but they are capable of doing amazing things when given the opportunities. I really like the you created the briefs for what challenges may arise in a classroom. This would be especially helpful to new teachers (soon to be myself) if they are using TACTIC within their school. If I want to look further into TACTIC, where should I go/look for the best information?

Hi Maya, 

The briefs are very helpful. I would love to be involved in professional development to help support all kids in this area.  Would the group consider hosting PD through Zoom or Skype?