Elementary teachers spend most of the academic year managing their classrooms, helping students grasp fundamental concepts, assessing their progress, and communicating with parents and other stakeholders. When summer rolls around, some may believe that teachers just go into hibernation until the fall. In reality, the summer break is a period of great potential and opportunity for professional development, particularly in areas like coding and computational thinking. Platforms such as the KUBO Portal offer on-demand webinars that enable teachers to learn and grow during this period.
The Value of Summer Break
Summer vacations are not merely breaks from the exhausting schedule of teaching; they are also times for reflection, self-improvement, and preparation for the next academic year. The break provides an excellent opportunity for teachers to focus on their own learning without the pressures and distractions of the regular school year. They can engage in professional development activities, refresh or learn new pedagogical approaches, and equip themselves with the skills needed to address the evolving needs of their students.
Investing in Professional Development
The beauty of professional development is its diversity. It could be as simple as reading up on new education theories or as complex as participating in an extensive workshop. In recent years, a crucial area that has emerged for professional development among elementary teachers is coding and computational thinking.
Why Coding and Computational Thinking?
The significance of coding and computational thinking in the current digital age cannot be overstated. These skills help students to problem-solve, innovate, and understand the world around them. By integrating coding and computational thinking into the elementary classroom, teachers can not only prepare students for the digital economy but also enhance their logical and critical thinking skills.
However, many teachers feel overwhelmed by the prospect of teaching these complex subjects. That’s where the summer break comes into play. It provides an ideal time for teachers to become students again and grasp these vital skills.
The Role of KUBO and the KUBO Portal
The KUBO Portal is an innovative free platform providing a wealth of resources for teachers to learn about coding and computational thinking. It aims to support teachers in integrating coding and computational thinking into their curriculum, even if they have no prior experience in the field.
One of the key offerings of the portal is its on-demand webinars. These webinars allow teachers to learn and get inspired about how to include coding and computational thinking to their curriculum, what coding in the elementary classroom looks like, and how creativity and storytelling can be a part of your coding classes. With experienced educators and experts leading these webinars, teachers can gain confidence in their understanding and ability to teach these skills.
Moreover, the portal also offers additional resources like lesson plans with the KUBO Robot, activities, and tips to integrate coding into various subjects effectively. The KUBO Robot is an educational tool designed to teach children as young as four years old about coding and computational thinking in a screen-free, hands-on manner.
Together with the TagTile® programming language, which is a puzzle-like physical coding language, the KUBO Robot teaches children the basics of coding, including sequences, functions, loops, and more, through physical interaction. By encouraging active learning and problem-solving, KUBO helps students understand complex concepts intuitively.
Conclusion
For elementary teachers, summer vacations are more than a break from the rigors of teaching. They are a chance to enhance their skills, evolve with the changing educational landscape, and prepare to provide their students with a more enriching learning experience in the upcoming academic year.
Platforms like the KUBO Portal, with their vast array of resources and on-demand webinars, have made it easier than ever for teachers to invest in their professional development. They provide a convenient, effective way to learn new skills like coding and computational thinking. By seizing this opportunity, teachers can transform their summer vacation into a period of substantial professional growth and enrichment.
