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Coding & Mathematics

Accompanying Video

Continuous Learning

Ontario Tech University

Diane.Tepylo@ontariotechu.net

Ontario Tech University acknowledges the lands and people of the indigenous peoples from where we are meeting today. We are thankful to be welcomed on these lands in friendship. The lands where the university is situated on are covered under the Williams Treaties and the traditional territory of the Mississauga, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation, including Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi. These lands remain home to a number of Indigenous nations and people.

We acknowledge this land out of respect for the Indigenous nations who have cared for Turtle Island,from before the arrival of settler peoples until this day. Most importantly, we remember the history of these lands has been tainted by poor treatment and a lack of friendship with the First Nations who call them home.

This history is something we are all affected by as we are all treaty people in Canada. We all have a shared history to reflect on, and each of us is affected by this history in different ways. Our past defines our present, but if we move forward as friends and allies, then it does not have to define our future.

https://studentlife.ontariotechu.ca/services/community/indigenous/land-acknowledgement/index.php

Who I am - grew up in the Gitsa’an Nisga’a, Mowachaht and Kwak'wala

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Reassurances

Many teachers begin coding very anxious

Add learning online and those feeling can be amplified

At times, coding is

Exhilarating - solving a problem
Frustrating - trying to solve a problem

We have found it really helpful to reassure that this is normal & to discuss feelings

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

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Reassurances

If you are brand new to coding,

It may take a while for you to feel like you “get it”

For many teachers (pre- & in-service), things seem to come together around class 4 (about 10 hours of coding)

We are working to lessen that time,

But it may be the result of learning something completely new

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You can do this!

I have little formal programming training.
I really started coding when asked in the job interview, “Could you teach this programming course?” I needed the job so I said yes - and then studied all summer.
In over 20 years teaching coding, every student who has tried has achieved considerable success.
And the programming tools are so much easier now!

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Our Courses & These Supports

3 Integrated strands

Learning to Code

Strand C3 in the new Math curriculum

Coding to Learn

What can we teach through coding?

Integration with the other math strands

How can coding support ALL learners?

Teaching Coding; Teaching through Coding

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Our reasons for coding

influence how we teach coding

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Why is Coding in the Ontario Curriculum?

A Variety of Reasons

Economic
Equity
A New Literacy?
Developing Thinking Skills

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Why is Coding in the New Math Curriculum?

It was the curriculum being updated

There are lots of connections to arts, science...
There are lots of connections to the Language curriculum

(especially the media strand)

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Why is Coding in the New Math Curriculum?

Builds intuitive and symbolic understandings of mathematical concepts
Connects mathematical concepts
A great low floors, high ceilings and wide walls tool for problem-solving and mathematical thinking
Automatically moves students from visual representations to symbolic forms

(with robots & other tangibles, concrete materials)

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Pedagogy Starters

Pair Programming - Discussions to

Support problem-solving
Refine thinking
Make connections to mathematical concepts

Play - try something and see what happens

Explore - change 1 or 2 things - what does it do?
Save a copy before making changes

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Next Up: Choosing a Coding Environment

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Resources by Topics

Everything is

CC with attribution

Continually being developed

Diane.tepylo@ontariotechu.net