Ozobots in the Classroom | Connecting Coding to Curriculum

We are so incredibly lucky to have sets of Ozobots to take out to classrooms to work with students with. Ozobots are small, one inch robots that students can program using block code or markers. The Ozobots can move in different directions, light up different colors, and do fun moves like zig zag, spin, and skate.

Of course, the Ozobots are fun and all and students are completely engaged anytime we pull them out... However, how are we tying this "fun" to the curriculum to make sure students are learning and that the coding is tied to the curriculum?

Regardless of which type of robot you're using, this question always sticks with me as I work with teachers to plan lessons and units.

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1,000 Selifes Aren't Necessary

As the new school year rolls around, let's talk Digital Citizenship! Way back in the day ;) I did a blog post on Acceptable Use Policies for students. That was right when iPads were becoming a thing in classrooms, and no one (myself included) really knew what they were doing. I learned this the hard way, and I'll never forget my huge mistake of assuming my 2nd graders would magically treat their shiny new iPads with respect and care. (LOL!)

Three + years later, our district is now 1:1 with iPads in 2nd-8th grade, and our 4th-8th graders take home their district iPads. Being a part of the rollout of this massive undertaking was enlightening. We found out early on that if we didn't set clear expectations and rules regarding the iPads, well, it wasn't pretty (especially with older kids!). They had a tendency to think that the devices were "theirs" and could do what they wanted on them. Over the past few years, and working with so many amazing teachers, our iPad rules have evolved and changed and I think we've finally found a set of rules that works for us.

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