We tend to harp on the importance of coding and might not spend as much time on how it can be made easier. Well, the good news is there are some ways for school leaders to make it easier on both teachers and students to enjoy these opportunities. One way for coding education to be more meaningful is for educators to have access to coinciding curriculum so they know what concepts to cover and how to illustrate them. Another way is for them to learn about the STEM tools they’ll be using to teach coding and this kind of PD is another key resource. Thankfully, we’re set to tell you about options for resources like these (and others) that are ideal for helping to teach coding—and they come from Wonder Workshop.

The robotics tools from Wonder Workshop are great for introducing coding to kids with the Dash and Dot and helping them develop more advanced skills with the Cue. They're made even better, however, with the additions of online PD, curriculum guides, and detailed booklets. Now on our site, educators can find the Student Design Notebooks and Curriculum Guide for the Cue as well as new training opportunities for the Dash, Dot, and Cue. Within these resources, there are tips for using the robots in the classroom as well as guided projects that teach specific coding concepts!

Cue Applied Robotics Curriculum

The Applied Robotics Curriculum for Cue provides STEM teachers with step-by-step guidance for how to bring computer science to the classroom. The topics addressed include how to use the robot, implementation approaches, assessment strategies, and cross-curricular extensions! More than getting familiar with the Cue Robot, teachers will also learn some of the key benefits of computer science in education and how to use coding in a student-centered environment.

Cue Student Design Notebooks

The Cue Student Design Notebooks include series of project ideas that focus on key STEAM concepts and engaging students with coding. They walk students through using each of the Cue's features to complete four different STEAM activities! There are three units that comprise these notebooks—creative writing, game design, and innovation. Students will learn how to use each of the Cue’s features, complete challenges that cover functions, variables, and conditionals, and complete an innovation project while they practice text-based coding!

Introduction to Coding and Robotics with the Cue

This 12-hour PD course for the Cue helps teachers get more familiar with computer science principles. It covers key areas, including the reality of computer science adoption, student autonomy, coding as the new literacy, tomorrow's job market, and more! This item includes only access to the online Cue course and no robots, but it does include six modules that cover the following topics: The ever-changing EdTech landscape, constructing student autonomy, the computer science conundrum, robots all around us, an interdisciplinary approach, and robot basics 101.

Introduction to Coding and Robotics with Dash & Dot

This Wonder Workshop online professional learning course includes six modules for elementary educators to learn about incorporating the Dash and Dot into teaching with a focus on 21st century skill development. Like the above course, this option gets teachers comfortable with teaching with the Dash and Dot by going over all of their key elements. The six sections of this PD experience include the evolution of EdTech, personalizing pedagogy, pathways to computer science, making room for the 3 Cs, transforming daily instruction, and robot basics 101.

The Wonder Workshop PD materials are an integral part of maximizing these robotics tools in the classroom. To shop for exactly what you need from our store, click below. Be sure to ask us how you can receive Educator Discount pricing on these and all other Wonder Workshop tools as well!