DevTech offers diverse opportunities for in-person professional development lasting from 2 hours to 3 days. Workshops include training on the Coding Playground Pedagogy, The Coding as Another Language Curriculum for both ScratchJr and the KIBO Robot, the Palette of Virtues, or for Maker Literacies! If you are looking for a special offering tailored to your own needs, please contact the DevTech Lab Manager.
Coding Playgrounds Intro
(2 hours)
- Overview of playful coding with ScratchJr and KIBO robotics, grounded in “Coding as a Playground” principles for early childhood classrooms applications.
- Hands-on demonstrations with quick, practical examples for integrating coding and robotics across the curriculum.
- Access to resources and clear next steps for educators interested in continuing their professional learning.
Coding Playgrounds (3 days)
- Comprehensive training on bringing computer science, ScratchJr, KIBO robotics, Maker Literacies, and DevTech prototypes into preK–2 learning environments.
- Interactive exploration of the “Coding as a Playground” approach, showing how coding connects with literacy, art, and project-based activities.
- Practical guidance on promoting collaboration, problem-solving, and social-emotional growth, along with access to curricula, assessment tools, and strategies for strengthening learning.
ScratchJr Skills Intro (3 hours)
- Learn and practice core skills in the ScratchJr programming language and app.
- Explore the “Coding as a Playground” pedagogical approach to support playful, developmentally appropriate coding.
- Gain practical strategies for integrating ScratchJr across subject areas in early childhood settings.
ScratchJr – Coding as Another Language (2 days)
- Hands-on ScratchJr exploration through creative project work and activity stations.
- Key pedagogical approaches, including PTD, Computational Thinking, and the Engineering Design Process.
- Classroom applications with DevTech resources, cross-curricular examples, and collaborative storytelling activities with KIBO.
KIBO Skills Intro (3 hours)
- Learn and practice core skills with the KIBO Robot.
- Explore the “Coding as a Playground” pedagogical approach to support playful, developmentally appropriate coding.
- Gain practical strategies for integrating KIBO into the classroom.
KIBO – Coding As Another Language (2 Days)
- Hands-on KIBO exploration through building, programming, and creative activity stations.
- Foundational pedagogical approaches, including PTD, Computational Thinking, and the Engineering Design Process.
- Classroom applications with DevTech resources, cross-curricular examples, and collaborative storytelling and project work with time for reflection.
Beyond Coding: Palette of Virtues
(2 days)
- Introduction to the Coding as a Palette of Virtues framework for reflecting on the values you want to cultivate in your classroom.
- Practical strategies for connecting coding with character-building conversations and activities.
- Hands-on ScratchJr work paired with group reflection to help students practice and express meaningful virtues through creative projects.
Maker Literacies (2 days)
- Explore physical computing through ScratchJr Blocks and ScratchJr Bots, blending hands-on making with foundational software and hardware skills.
- Learn how children move seamlessly between tangible coding and digital storytelling, using physical programs that can be scanned into ScratchJr.
- Build and program customizable robots giving young learners a clear, creative pathway from coding concepts to real-world robotics.