Offering New Middle School Elective Class

 I'm excited to offer a new middle school Intro to Computer Science class to 7th and 8th graders.

The class will be based on the Everyone Can Code Puzzles curriculum from Apple and will use Swift Playgrounds for creating apps.

Follow our coding journey here if you're interested to see how it goes.

Resources:

• Everyone Can Code Puzzles - Student guide to Swift Playgrounds that reinforces problem-solving skills through over 40 hours of flexible activities. Each chapter helps students build on what they already know, experiment with new coding concepts, apply their understanding, and creatively communicate how coding impacts their lives. (Publisher Description) 

MNCodes Summit 2020

I am excited to be presenting at the MNCodes Summit taking place later this spring on May 16.

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Come join me for my session Learn Coding Through Puzzles to learn more about how Apple's Everyone Can Code Puzzles curriculum helps young coders get started with programming and develop coding skills through the fun and interactive iPad and Mac app Swift Playgrounds.

Apple Teacher with Swift Playgrounds Recognition Badge

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It seemed like a fitting close to December's Hour of Code activities to follow up on earning my Apple Teacher 2016 badge awhile ago with earning my Apple Teacher with Swift Playgrounds Recognition badge this morning by passing the Apple Teacher quizzes on Swift Playgrounds and Everyone Can Code resources.

Earning the Apple Teacher with Swift Playgrounds Recognition badge requires already having earned the Apple Teacher 2016 badge and passing four quizzes related to the Swift Playgrounds app and Swift coding.

Apple Teacher Swift Playgrounds Badges

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Resources
Apps:
Swift Playgrounds
Learn how to code in Swift by playing games and guiding characters through 3D worlds to solve puzzles and collect gems.

Swift Playgrounds is available for iOS.

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iBooks:
Learn To Code 1 & 2 Teacher Guide
Activities and supplemental resources for implementing Swift Playgrounds in the classroom.
The Learn to Code 1 & 2 Teacher Guide iBook is available for reading in iBooks on iOS or Mac.

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iTunes U:
Swift Playgrounds: Learn To Code 1 & 2  iTunes U Course
The Swift Playgrounds: Learn To Code 1 & 2 iTunes U course provides 10 lessons and videos to help navigate the Swift Playgrounds app and reinforce coding skills.
Available for iOS.



Other Resources:
Apple Teacher  Learning Center
The Apple Teacher Learning Center website has links to all of the Apple Starter Guides and iTunes U resources to help prepare for the Apple Teacher badge quizzes as well as a host of tips and teacher inspiration and success stories about using Apple apps in the classroom.