Teaching Python Podcast

Dan Roam’s The Back of the Napkin highlights the power of visual thinking: "There is no more powerful way to prove that we know something well than to draw a simple picture of it. And there is no more powerful way to see hidden solutions than to pick up a pen and draw out the pieces of our problem." This idea aligns with Harvard University Graduate School of Education’s Visible Thinking framework, which emphasizes making students’ thinking processes visible through routines, documentation, and reflection. Whether we’re clarifying ideas or solving problems, visual thinking is a powerful way to deepen understanding and communicate insights. But how does this evolve in the age of AI tools like Napkin.ai? Does Napkin.ai Take Away the Thinking? In many ways, it does. Traditional visual thinking encourages us to wrestle with ideas on paper, sketching our way toward clarity. Tools like Napkin.ai automate the drawing, skipping over the tactile process of creating visuals by hand. This could seem like a loss—especially if you value the reflective thinking that comes with pen and paper. And a bit of me is sad about eliminating this process all together, but the beauty of this tool also excites me. Napkin.ai doesn’t eliminate thinking all together—but it does change the direction. Automating visuals with AI shifts the focus from metacognitive processing to conceptual clarity and understanding. Instead of developing and creating, you’re analyzing and verifying: “What relationships am I trying to show?” “Does this graph represent my data or ideas accurately?” “What story is this visual telling?” Napkin.ai speeds up the process, taking you straight to: analyzing and refining your ideas. For example, I used Napkin.ai to create a graphic for Teaching Python Podcast, showing the value we provide to our listeners. The tool generated a quick, clean visual, allowing me to immediately focus on whether the representation aligned with our message. I think the key to using AI is balance. Tools like Napkin.ai are at their best when paired with thinking practices: That means in the educational setting: *Use routines to help students structure their ideas before visualizing them. *Use AI to simplify or enhance the process of documenting thoughts in a visual format. * Have students analyze the visuals to ensure they accurately convey their thinking. The challenge (and opportunity) lies in adapting these tools to deepen, rather than bypass, our understanding. #VisualThinking #NapkinAI #TeachingPython #HarvardVisibleThinking #EdTech #Creativity #ProblemSolving

Minecraft... it is back with a vengeance in both my home and classroom and here is why I do not mind it. #Minecraft has taken over my household and classroom - again! While I've always had my dedicated group of students who live and breathe Minecraft, I am seeing more kids jump back into play. The September 2024 update has brought some great additions: Hardcore Mode (for those brave enough!), a Pale Garden biome(coming), and practical Bundles for inventory management. As both a teacher and parent, I used to worry about screen time, but watching my own kids problem-solve through complex builds and hearing them collaborate on projects and "hunts" always helps to shift my perspective(a bit). When I stop to listen to their gameplay conversations, I hear learning in action. Students working through mathematical calculations while building, problem-solve through challenging situations, and teaching each other new techniques they've discovered. These multiplayer sessions build collaboration and communication skills - the same ones we try so hard to develop in the classroom. * Critical thinking and problem-solving Features like survival mode and challenges encourage players to strategize and think ahead. * STEM Skills: Redstone teaches circuit coding basics. * Procedural Thinking develops with the new terrain generation algorithms. * Collaboration & Social Skills happens in multiplayer modes developing teamwork, communication, and resilience in tackling group projects or in-game challenges. * Perseverance: Students deal with the frustrations of learning new features or when they "die" and lose inventory and then respawn empty-handed. And the latest update offers even more ways to engage students. If you are looking for ways to bring Minecraft into the classroom, the MineCraft EDU Worlds are amazing with lessons in Cybersecurity and AI https://lnkd.in/ejirxMg4 And let's not forget Python 101 with Makecode! https://lnkd.in/e9EP8K5J Minecraft connects to classroom objectives with these classics too: * Math & Science: Modeling geometry, crafting ecosystems, or exploring physics principles. * Project-Based Learning: Building historical landmarks or solving environmental challenges in groups. * Social-Emotional Learning: Teaching teamwork, resilience, and creative problem-solving through collaborative builds and survival challenges. How are you incorporating Minecraft’s updates into learning? I’d love to hear your ideas! #MinecraftEdu #STEM #GameBasedLearning #EdTech #DigitalLiteracy #ProjectBasedLearning Teaching Python Podcast #coding

⚡️BREAKING: micro:bit CreateAI launches today 🎉 ! This World Children’s Day, use micro:bit CreateAI to inspire students to play a positive role in shaping the future of AI. Use your movement data and micro:bit to train a machine learning model - and then use it in code. 🤩 We're so excited - read more! https://lnkd.in/dsD7Buwy #WorldChildrensDay #microbit #createAI #TechForGood #EdTech #STEMeducation #AI #AIeducation #CSteachers #csforall