Krishon: The Man With The Plan

Krishon is always on the move...helping others.

At the STEAM Studio, we expect and pray for helpful, motivated and professional volunteers. When I say pray, I mean it. We service kids, K-8 who demand and need our undivided attention. We are specialized in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics. These volunteers just don't fall from the sky...

Or do they?

Let's be honest, as much as I enjoy teaching kids that come through the STEAM Studio and as much as I hope they enjoy being there, they aren't there to see me. They are there to have fun and learn, through hands on activities in the wide open spaces which inspire them to design, create, and evolve their ideas and projects. These kids love working with high school and college students because these relationships are unique and exciting to them.

About two months ago, I had contacted Brandon Jones, a friend and teacher at Rockhurst High School to interview some potential high school young men who could successfully support and develop the coding, programming, designing and risk taking curriculum at the STEAM Studio with me. But more importantly, be role models, be "men for others" and bring out the best in the future generation.

He connected me with Krishon Harris, a freshman at RHS. I have been in awe at how much sincere effort Krishon has put in with every single student he has worked with during the after school clubs. Beyond his hours at the STEAM Studio, he researches and practices with new technology he knows the group is interested in without me even asking. 

The kids look forward to seeing him each week. He exhibits calm demeanor when there are technical issues and many questions, and responds thoughtfully to everyone. If he doesn't know the answer he figures it!

This is Krishon-here is his plan for helping others.

How I Got Here
"I am so interested in technology because technology is always there to fix problems or give assistance, even if not necessary. I'm young, so I am always fixing technology, which has helped me become interested in tech."


Paying it Forward
I like that when volunteering at STEAM Studio I get to help kids learn stuff that I had to figure out myself through trial and error as a child. 



You Rang?
At the Rockhurst High School Tech Desk, I help students with their iPads, meaning if any problems arise, I help figure them figure it out. I also read and experiment with the iMacs during free times. I am most advanced in handheld devices, identifying computer parts, and troubleshooting Windows and Mac computers. I have no experience in computer engineering but have read enough to be able to figure out. 


Straight Talk: I Don't Know It All.. ( what kid in high school admits that?)
I have yet to learn a coding language and therefore coding is definitely a category I am learning more about. I predict that in the future, teachers will use technology to have lessons and videos  to help students outside of school and students can help each other.

Krishon is the real deal, the type of volunteer and role model you hope to appear in your organization. He doesn't fly by the seat of his pants, he always has a plan to help others. He motivates the kids he works with to soar and see their potential as he shows his own. I'm thankful God sent him to the STEAM Studio.

Believe in yourself and you can help others fly!

One of my favorite U2 songs "If God Will Send His Angels" 



U2 ~ "If God Will Send His Angels" '97 by seasonwitch

Wake Up! I've Got Your Java

"Learning to write programs stretches your mind, and helps you think better, creates a way of thinking about things that I think is helpful in all domains.“ Bill Gates

I LOVE coffee. Let me be specific. I love lattes. Extra shots of expresso are always nice too. Cannot imagine my life without a Roasterie (Carmella, no whip and skim milk) or Latteland  (Brookside Bob with Almond milk) cup of magic each morning. There are things in life we all can't live without. How about you? Could you live without the Internet? Word Processing programs? Digital Games? Texting? Email? I think not. Computer Science is needed to function in society, especially in the US. 

Should Computer Science be the new requirement in schools?  It's the new rage in the news, school curriculum development, coffee shop conversations, and Hollywood has even jumped on board with several movies, Jobs, The Social Network, and The Internship. I've blogged before about the importance of coding and programming and I will continue to do so as it is extremely important for 21st century learning and progression. As will.i.am., an artist and musician with the Black Eyed Peas put it, " Here we are...we ALL depend on technology to communicate, to bank and NONE of us know how to read and write code. It's important for these kids, right now...to learn and write code."

Coding. Programming. Who cares? You should. For many years these terms have been kept to the underground world. You may have this perception of a room filled with selected nerds punching letters and symbols into a computer to bring the world games and software we need to live our lives. Not anymore.  It's time to wake up, smell the coffee, and  this is why:

1. We are short handed: Sad, but true: we are outsourcing many jobs that our youth are more than capable of doing. "There aren't enough people to fill these jobs because technology and the job market are moving much faster than education in high schools and colleges" explains Mark, Lassoff, founder of learntoprogram.tv .  India and China are the two biggest countries for programming and coding. 

2. Builds life-long skills: How do you inspire creativity and confidence in learners? You reach out to each students' interests. ALL OF THEM. I will tell you that you have to make a connection to real world application. I know there are times when parents and teachers struggle to find the answer to "when will I need to know this?"  Computer science requires creativity, risk taking and perseverance which will build confidence. Coding and programming require memorizing rules and identifying patterns. This improves your memory and strengthens your mental muscles. All of these things come in handy throughout the journey of life.

3. Requires you to think critically and follow directions: Learning how to code and program requires you to learn a second language. What's so intriguing about this new language is the challenge of having to think very clearly about what you are trying to 'say'. Just being off by a letter or adding one too many parentheses will leave you lost in translation. It can be every bit as engaging and thrilling as playing a game. One of the most popular coding languages is Java Script which is the scripting language of the web. Then there's HTML, which helps you build websites and CSS, which provides a way to control the style and layout of multiple web pages at once. See for yourself. Wanna make a dog fetch a ball? Code this. As far as programming, another avenue of computer science offers experiences in using building blocks to command the program you are creating to do exactly as you want. Try it out. Wanna make the Angry Bird catch the naughty pig? Don't just play it, program it!  It's much easier than you think.

4.Get a J.O.B.: These infographs speak volumes...

5. It's FUN, but don't force it  Let's face it, you really can't make kids learn. Every great teacher knows that.  You engage students by finding out what interests them. We are are lucky to have a variety of coding and programming resources (Hour of Code) out there which cater to a variety of learners. Encourage our youth to play games, learn the 'new' language and make it fun!  Offer food, a laid back environment, allow them to listen to good tunes, work with a partner, take breaks and work at their own pace with short term and long term goals. Think about it...this is real world application.

This Code Avenger is tough and smart.

Inspire Our Youth! My Five Fav Free List:

• Code Academy: Code Combat, Code Avengers (web-based, no download required): Jr. High/High School
• Code Monster(web-based): Leveled for upper elementary through high school
• Scratch (web-based and download): 8+ age
• Daisy the Dinosaur (iPad): elementary
• Cargo-Bot and Light-Bot (iPad): 8+ age

This Code Monster is  cute and creative.

Susan Wojcicki, Senior VP at Google,  sets it straight, 

"Learning to code makes kids feel empowered, creative and confident."  

If we want our students to retain these traits into their adulthood we need to start in their youth.

 Wake up! Give it a shot.

Other Resources: check them out.

http://www.stemconnector.org/sites/default/files/store/STEM-Students-STEM-Jobs-Executive-Summary.pdf

http://www.businessinsider.com/20-hilarious-programming-jargon-phrases-you-should-know-when-talking-to-engineers-2012-7

http://www.javacodegeeks.com/2012/11/20-kick-ass-programming-quotes.html

http://cs.brown.edu/~adf/programming_languages.html


https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yDA7roxMBCYw6jUXTGKx_SAk7gEAd-IZdLbZHzDIxtU/edit#heading=h.o5ufblwnoh93


http://www.edutopia.org/blog/coding-new-foreign-language-requirement-helen-mowers

The Best Is Yet To Come: Ed Tech 2014 Predictions

Gotta love old blue eyes, the song has a catchy tune. As I think about the next best thing regarding technology while holding true to the traditional teaching methods which we know work, I'm hopeful.  I do believe the best is yet to come. I feel we are reaching an understanding when it comes to using technology-the balance of the old and new.

These predictions play into the point I am trying to make:

1. Microsoft Gets It's Mojo Back- Thanks to the "Surface", Microsoft is resurfacing into the mainstream ed tech arena. As much as we all like to admit that we are all saving to the "Cloud" these days, many are not. Since when did flash drives have to go away or Micorsoft for that matter? Who says the iPad has to rule? I'll be the first to admit (and my parents will back me up), I'm picky.  Picky when it comes to technology and all areas of my life, so when iPads came into the horizon back in 2010, I was skeptical. I stayed true to my Microsoft Windows programs and my PC laptop device (RU doesn't support Macs on campus anyways). But then I saw the amazing opportunities the iPad could give all students and teachers in the classroom. I jumped ship and haven't looked back until now.  Thanks to the Microsoft Surface (2nd generation), you really can have it all. An iPadish tablet including flashdrive capabilities with the Windows 8 version we all love.

2. Tron Reinvents Itself- Remember that 80's movie, Tron,  when coding a program seemed out of this world futuristic? Well now, we all can learn. Kudos to Code.org and "Hour of Code".  People use to think only those who were highly intelligent and socially inept could code.   We now live in a society where Computer Science and keeping up with programming/coding is as important as the three R's. Students of all ages can learn how to program and code AND have fun doing so. Why is this future? We need coders and programmers of all different interests and background to move our 21st century learning forward and captivate our digital natives.

3. Four Eyes are IN.  Google Glass. It's the final frontier. The future of learning, engaging and communicating with our friends, family and society. If you have been living under a rock and do not know what Google Glass is, click on the link above. In my opinion, it raises two imperative issues: 1. Policies and laws cannot keep current with technology. 2. Educators need to have these devices in their hands months prior to implementing. Time must be given for teachers to practice and facilitate the usage with their students before meaningful integration can occur.

4. Students and Educators Teaching Each Other- Let's face it, we are teaching Digital NATIVES, we are Digital IMMIGRANTS.  Great teachers know to embrace and empower their students. Great teachers know the content and understand how to teach the content in a multitude of ways to engage students. However, with the incredibly advanced integration of technology, great teachers need to rely on their students to brainstorm ways to infuse technology into assignments and products which reflect learning.  Remembering that technology is A tool, it doesn't haven to be THE tool.

5.  Hands free revolution- enough with drama already. Put your phone down and live!  A Forbes article, recently nailed it.  Checking your phone consistently shows, lack of respect, lack of attention and lack of power. Live in the moment of those you are with and show them who is really in charge...YOU, not your phone. I predict in 2014, more people (of all ages!) will take control of their lives and enjoy what this real world has to offer rather than the virtual world pinging them. I think this quote is brilliant: "One of my clients took a chapter from... the Old West, he put a wicker basket at the front of his conference room, along with a sign of Smartphone that read, Leave your guns at the door."

Best wishes to you and the New Year!

Enjoy a little Sinatra- he never goes out of style.