iCreate Lab exploration day 1

How can you envision addressing ISTE Computational Thinking standards in your explorations today?

• Standard 1: Empowered Learner. Students understand the fundamental concepts of technology operations, demonstrate the ability to choose, use and troubleshoot current technologies, and are able to transfer their knowledge to explore emerging technologies.
• Standard 4: Innovative Designer. Students use a variety of technologies within a design process to identify and solve problems by creating new, useful, or imaginative solutions. 
• Standard 5: Computational Thinker. Students develop and employ strategies for understanding and solving problems in ways that leverage the power of technological methods to develop and test solutions.
• Standard 6: Creative Communicator. Students choose the appropriate tools for meeting the desired objectives of their creation or communication.

As I explored the iCreate lab I chose to focus on the 3D printer in class. As a group, we were able to decide on an item to build from a variety of options. Since we were low on time and will be the day we work with the students, we decided on a simple chain. It was quite an easy process, all we had to do was press print once the object has been chosen. For the chain it only took about 17 minutes to complete, compared to other projects this is relatively fast. From what I've learned in the lab I am now able to look at it from an educator's perspective and create a quick lesson plan. 

From the standards listed above, I could incorporate standard 1 in my lab. With the 3D printer, students will learn how to operate the 3D printer software. They will engage by having the ability to explore and choose from hundreds of different designs. Standard number 4 can also come into play. As an example, if a student comes in wanting to build a truck they are going to ask themselves how will they be able to do that. Which creates a problem and the student must design a solution.

6c. Create learning opportunities that challenge students to use design process and computational thinking to innovate and solve problems

    From this lab, students will be faced with unfamiliar technology and from there they must learn how to navigate and challenge themselves. To solve a problem they must use their computation thinking skills and design process. 

1c. Stay current with research that supports improved student learning outcomes, including findings from the learning sciences.

2a: Nurture a confident, competent and positive identity around computing for every student.

1e: Recognize how computing and society interact to create opportunities, inequities, responsibilities and threats for individuals and organizations.