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Embracing Technology in Education: The Case for ChatGPT

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The New York City Department of Education has announced that it will be restricting access to ChatGPT, a powerful artificial intelligence (AI) tool, on its networks and devices due to concerns about the safety and accuracy of its content. While ChatGPT may be able to provide quick and easy answers to questions, the department has stated that it does not build critical thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for academic and lifelong success.

“Due to concerns about negative impacts on student learning, and concerns regarding the safety and accuracy of content, access to ChatGPT is restricted on New York City Public Schools’ networks and devices,” “While the tool may be able to provide quick and easy answers to questions, it does not build critical-thinking and problem-solving skills, which are essential for academic and lifelong success.”

Education department spokesperson Jenna Lyle told in a statement

This decision has sparked controversy in the education and technology community, many questioning the purpose of an outright ban on innovative technology. Technology such as this has the potential to evolve our abilities in work, learning, and innovation.

I’d love to see more collaboration with technologists and educators to avoid things like outright bans of technology innovation by education bodies. These innovations already evolve our abilities in work, learning and innovation, simply restricting them out of fear is ridiculous.

I’ve been using ChatGPT for the past month and it’s already become one of my go-to tools for a variety of tasks, including marketing and business model development. In just a few short weeks, it’s helped me increase my productivity significantly. It’s user-friendly, efficient, and great for learning and research. It is only the tip of the iceberg of what AI can do for education.

ChatGPT helping me find the best title for this blog article

The idea that ChatGPT is anti-critical thinking and problem solving is misguided. In fact, it’s often the traditional methods of teaching that prioritize formulaic responses over genuine expression of ideas, as pointed out in this Forbes article by Peter Greene– https://lnkd.in/gNWPRq4U

“Pushed by the rise of rubrics and standardized test essays, high school writing instruction has drifted in the direction of performative faux writing. The five-paragraph essay is a perfect example of writing in which a student is expected to perform adherence to a composition algorithm, rather than develop an essay by starting with ideas and working out how best to express them. Too often student are expected to follow a formula, to reliably mediocre results.”

Peter Greene, Senior Contributor at Forbes

As someone who has seen firsthand the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, I can confidently say that it is an inevitable part of the future of learning. From personalizing the learning experience for students to streamlining tasks for teachers, the benefits of AI in education are numerous.

I hope this fear of technology in education is only temporary and that students will have the opportunity to use tools like ChatGPT (later to release its 4th iteration, which will be way more capable) to empower their learning and development.

Demystifying Artificial Intelligence

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Whether you realize it or not, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already playing a major role in our digital lives. AI is involved in these applications, from what to watch next on YouTube, how to get to the supermarket on Google Maps, or asking Siri to schedule your next appointment. Since AI is already a part of our lives, shouldn’t we be learning about it in school? 

Several education institutions have collaborated to develop the 5 Big Ideas in AI Education that provides a framework for how schools and curriculum designers can start incorporating AI into their curriculum, from theoretical to practical. Education researchers are also discovering how students, families and educators can benefit from learning about AI and have found that while AI can be extremely useful, it also has some limitations. For example, after students learn how AI image recognition works, they may find that it isn’t always 100% accurate. Our AI curriculum at BSD shows an example of how an AI image recognition tool can’t easily tell the difference between a chihuahua and a blueberry cupcake.

“Since AI is already a part of our lives, shouldn’t we be learning about it in school?”

In science fiction, AI is often depicted as hyper-intelligent and deeply complex. The reality is that we are still very far away from AI, which is comparable to human intelligence. We have systems that, over time, become very good at predicting outcomes based on supplied data. 

Let’s imagine you want to train an AI image recognition system to use your webcam to tell the difference between apples and bananas. First, you would supply dozens of pre-labeled images of apples and bananas. Then you would show your webcam some example images or real-life examples to see how well it predicts the correct fruit. Depending on the quality of the supplied images, the AI will do its best to predict what is shown.

This is where we might encounter some problems. All data is susceptible to 3 forms of data bias: 

  1. Amount of information
  2. Diversity of information
  3. Quality of information

Like humans, we need many examples and practice to learn something new. For the AI to learn the difference between apples and bananas, it must see dozens if not hundreds of different images. Those images also need to be diverse enough to show the range of different shades of colors, shapes, and varieties of the two fruits. The supplied images must also be high-quality images free of “noise” or background information. If the supplied images meet the requirements and contain less data bias, the ability to predict will be higher.

You can even try this for yourself now. Here is a link to BSD’s AI Image Recognition Tool. This tool uses your webcam to take photos of whatever you want it to recognize. Let’s use the previous example of apples and bananas. Hold up an apple to your webcam and click on “Add to Class One,” and the webcam will snap one photo and save it for learning. Hold up a banana and click on “Add to Class Two.”  You will need a minimum of 10 images for each class. Once you have the photos, click on “Training & Predict.” The AI tool will analyze and learn the supplied images, allowing it to predict what the webcam sees. Then, test out the prediction by showing other examples of apples and bananas.

Instead of apples and bananas, you can choose any two items, or even use your own face, perhaps with and without a funny hat or sunglasses. If you encounter any prediction errors, refer to the 3 types of Data Bias for clues to what might be the cause.

BSD’s AI Image Recognition Tool.

Want to Learn More?

Free BSD Webinar

Demystifying Artificial Intelligence

March 17

To learn more about this, tune into our upcoming webinar on the topic. If you are reading this article after the date of the webinar, no problem! All previously recorded webinars can be found here on our website.

Building Good Digital Citizens: Uncovering Bias With Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence

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Artificial intelligence (AI) was typically only found in dystopian science fiction novels, but that is no longer the case. Everything from disease recognition and prevention to security at large events, AI is making its way into our everyday lives, and its presence will only grow as technology advances. 

Due to its rapid growth, any educator needs to identify how students will be impacted by AI and how we can prepare them for the future. Although many facets of AI will soon, if not already, be incorporated into our daily lives, this article will focus on one important aspect: facial and image recognition.

What is AI Image Recognition?

AI image recognition uses a subset of AI called machine learning that can identify and categorize specific objects, including people, animals, and various landmarks. Utilizing a wealth of data, computers can use a camera and a machine learning algorithm based on neural networks and pre-trained data to identify these objects.

For a computer to make sense of images, they must be broken down into pixels, each pixel having a value (0 = black / 255 = white). Below is a photo showing how an image is broken down into pixels and how each pixel has a value.

What Issues Does AI Image Recognition Have?

AI isn’t perfect and is only as good as the data it has at its disposal. If a machine learning image recognition tool struggles to recognize the difference between two different images, it’s likely because it does not have the data or images necessary to make an accurate distinction between them. 

For instance, as infants, we learn to see patterns in colors and shapes to recognize them later. We start to get good at predicting based on what we have already seen. For AI to predict, the software needs to have seen many images and examples.

When an AI image recognition tool does not have lots of data or does not have a variety of data, predictability issues arise, and the tool is not as effective as one with more information. This can lead to inaccurate predictions, a bias that could have significant consequences for society as this tool becomes more widespread.

How Can We Educate Students About AI Bias?

As AI image recognition tools become more utilized for various purposes, our students must recognize the common issues with these tools and help prevent the negative aspects that can present themselves. Even providing students with a basic understanding of what AI is, how it works, and what limitations it has can go a long way in helping our students make informed decisions. 

As a part of Computer Science Education Week and in conjunction with Hour of Code, BSD Education is offering a free project that allows students to explore an AI image recognition tool and teaches them how AI sees images, makes predictions, and how we can make sure that those predictions are accurate and free of bias. While utilizing this tool, students will also learn valuable 21st-century coding skills, including the basics of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Access AI Webcam Image Classifier at app.bsd.education/free.

We hope you and your students will find this project informative and helpful in understanding how AI works and can be used for good in the future. BSD Education feels strongly that this type of learning, along with other digital skills, is vital to every student’s education. Please contact us here if you would like to learn more about how you can partner with BSD in the classroom so your students are future-ready.

Want to Learn More?

Free BSD Webinar

Building Good Digital Citizens: Uncovering Bias With Machine Learning

Join BSD Education VP of Education Mark Barnett to see how AI sees images, makes predictions, and how we can make sure they are accurate and free of bias. We’ll also explore similarities between AI and how our minds work by studying the effects of bias and data categorization.

Block-based Coding vs. Text-based Coding

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Given how widespread technology is, teaching coding is becoming more and more necessary. Knowing how to code—or at least the basics of coding—is now an important skill for students moving into higher education and when they begin looking for a job. 

Teachers have identified this important skill and children are now learning how to code at an early age. However, with a wide range of options available for educators to begin teaching their students how to code, it’s important to make an informed decision that will set students up for success.

Block-based coding has emerged as a tool to offer students an introduction into the world of coding that allows them to explore code in a friendly environment. At BSD Education, we are fans of how block-based learning like Scratch has helped to reach millions of students globally.

While educators can instantly begin introducing digital skills into their classroom with this type of instruction, teachers should also understand the limitations of this tool. In this article we’ll explain why BSD feels traditional text-based coding is key for teachers and students that want to move beyond the blocks and are ready to take their digital skills to the next level with text-based programming like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

First, let’s make it clear what block-based and text-based coding are:

What is Block-based Coding?

Instead of traditional text-based coding, block-based coding involves dragging “blocks” of instructions to manipulate the code. The most popular example of this is Scratch, the first block-based language created by MIT. Other examples include Snap, Scratch Jr., and Microsoft MakeCode.

What is Text-based Coding?

Text-based coding is what professionals use and is done by typing keyboard characters following a certain syntax (rules and regulations) of a particular programming language. For a breakdown of coding languages, please see this previous BSD blog post. 

Why Text-based Coding

Learning any new language is difficult, but at BSD we believe it is important to introduce text-based coding to students from third to eighth grade so they move past the blocks, become familiar with a real coding environment, and build a foundation that has no limitations. While many teachers begin with block-based coding to help ease their students into learning this new language, introducing students to text-based coding is inevitable and will be necessary when expanding students’ knowledge. 

Here are three specific reasons why text-based coding is our preferred method of learning how to code:

1. Better to Learn with Text-based Coding

While block-based coding can be an avenue to introduce coding to students, it’s much more difficult for students to grasp real coding concepts and syntax when they’re essentially dragging and dropping boxes. With text-based coding, students receive a full learning experience that instills important coding concepts that they will remember and can build off of. 

An MIT study revealed that while students are in the best stage of their lives to learn a new language until they are 17 or 18 years old, the optimal age for learning a new language is before the age of 10. At BSD Education, we feel learning coding is very similar to learning a new spoken language and that it’s important to take advantage of this window of opportunity by introducing students to actual coding concepts through text-based coding at an earlier age so they are more likely to comprehend and build on their skills in the future. Since a child’s brain is more pliable, a real coding experience can help them integrate this important skill and provide them with a massive advantage the younger they begin.

Since learning coding or any new language can be difficult, it’s critical you have a partner and a platform that can guide students through this experience. At BSD, we’ve developed more than 600 hours of certified curriculum that uses a scaffolded approach so students are constantly building on their knowledge. Whether it’s basic concepts or moving into advanced stages of coding learning, BSD is by your side to help students along.

Learning coding syntax is made easy with BSD Education as a partner in the classroom.

2. Text-based Coding Builds Adaptability and Resilience

A key aspect of learning something new is making mistakes, identifying what went wrong, and then fixing those mistakes. With block-based coding, making and learning from mistakes isn’t as prevalent since students are working within the confines of predetermined blocks of code and can’t reach outside of those boundaries. By moving blocks around, students are learning the general idea of how coding works, although not necessarily the skills beyond that.

Meanwhile, text-based coding presents many real-world challenges that help students actually learn how to solve problems. Since students are given the freedom to customize and extend themselves beyond drag-and-drop actions, text-based coding allows students to grow by making mistakes. Through this learning experience, students will build the knowledge they need to code as well as the adaptability and resilience they need for anything they do in school or life.

Due to these additional obstacles presented while using text-based coding, it’s important to have a tool that guides both the student and teacher through their coding journey. Using BSD’s guided projects, students receive regular prompts and can track their progress in real time so they can overcome challenges on their own and feel confident to reach for more.

BSD’s guided projects are like having another teacher in the room, making learning how to code easier on students and teachers.

3. The Sky’s the Limit with Text-based Coding

There are no limitations with text-based coding the way there are with block-based coding. Students looking to build their coding skills, and even possibly choosing a related career path, will need to use text-based coding. While block-based coding can work as an introduction to the world of coding, students are limited to the blocks available to them and prevents further development as a programmer past a certain point. As students gain more experience, block-based coding does not offer more dynamic and expressive capabilities that are available through text-based coding. 

Even if students don’t choose a career path in technology, having these foundational skills they are learning with text-based coding can be applied to any job they pursue. Through learning real coding skills as opposed to drag and drop programs, students can develop a broad range of skills that include key computational thinking and critical thinking skills vital to learning in any core subject.

Give Students a REAL Coding Experience

Using text-based coding can seem like a difficult task, particularly for inexperienced teachers. However, the reward of seeing students learn real-world coding skills and build on a foundation of knowledge they can apply to any career in the future is well worth the initial challenges. 

Teaching coding and digital skills is now easier than ever by partnering with BSD. With an intuitive platform that guides students through a variety of projects, a scaffolded approach that helps students build on their skills, and unrivaled support so ANY educator of ANY subject can begin teaching real coding skills today, BSD is your answer in the classroom. 

Contact us today so we can address your unique needs and develop a partnership that will help your students reach further and have an experience that will equip them with the skills they will need for tomorrow, no matter what career path they choose.

Addressing Wellness for Students, Families, and Educators: How can we mindfully adjust?

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This year marks the first year schools have returned to in-person instruction since the emergence of virtual learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. On the eve of this school year, we witnessed several happenings that caused major public health concerns in society. The emergence of variants of the coronavirus, massive crowds of maskless people gathering at music festivals, natural disasters have caused many people to migrate, and numerous vaccinated people have contracted COVID-19. In schools Educators and Academic Staff are working diligently and proactively to prevent the spread of COVID-19 within their school communities. Whether we return back to quarantine or not, we are still living in an ever-changing world that will require us to strengthen our aptitude for simply adjusting. Students, Families, Educators – and the education community as a whole – are entering into a new era of education that calls for us all to adopt an Agile Mindset, which is based on making observations during the development process and staying ready to react to changes or problems as they arise.

This school year, We Are Tech has been working within the Boys Latin Middle School community to develop their STEM Program. On campus you can find bright, intelligent, and distinguished young men of color avidly transitioning between, and attending, their classes – with laptops now a staple a part of their education experience. Within the school environment students have embraced using technology. Although students can become distracted with computer games, they’re embarking on an empowering journey of expressing themselves using digital literacy and technology. I fervently believe that all students can positively impact and empower their lives through technology. But as an inner-city educator it saddens me to see the brilliance in youth communities of color become stifled by gun violence and volatile neighborhood environments. 

Disparities Affecting Students, Families and Educators of Color in the Global Pandemic 

In this global pandemic, school communities across the U.S., and internationally, have started a new school year that has introduced the pressure to maintain new public health habits that they’ve never had to manage before in their school environments. For school communities in inner-city environments, this pressure is compounded with the grief and challenges that come with losing students due to gun violence. Additionally, the increase of mental health issues amongst the inner-city population have become further exacerbated since quarantine. These disparities add more challenges to navigating education during a pandemic. Spaces in society that most take for granted, such as public transportation, street blocks, and community parks are places in inner-cities where students oftentimes don’t feel safe. Our neighborhoods are spaces where our school community members live, commute to school and back home, and learn outside the classroom. To see students who you’ve spent years teaching or were exposed to in passing in your school community become fatally affected by an act of violence takes its toll on your heart, and the hopes and aspirations you have for your students’ potential. This level of grief is complex and it impacts our focus, how we teach, how we learn and how we feel as people.

This school year brings new challenges, and our school communities are experiencing these challenges in a new world of dynamics that are impacted by a global pandemic. More importantly, youth from different socio-economic backgrounds are experiencing the pandemic differently. I think it is essential to be cognizant of how our surroundings contribute to our mental health and stability when approaching our mindset development. If your environment is unpredictable and volatile your stress levels and safety precautions are heightened. This has extensive effects on how students experience their school environments, are taught, and comprehend information. 

When gathering insights to write this article, I spoke with veteran teacher, Angela Crawford, who has taught in Philadelphia for over 20 years. She is a self-care advocate, and previously spoke about achieving wellness in a discussion about “Investing in Families of Color from Pre-K thru 12” that was a part of We Are Tech’s Let’s Talk About Equity panel series in March 2021. Ms. Crawford shared with me that the barriers to wellness in schools need to be eliminated; and that real equitable solutions can be achieved through addressing the root causes of the systemic issues that disproportionately affect students and families of color. She asserted that “schools need to be communities”, and conveyed that when community members lead the schools they lead in honor and compassion towards what their school community faces. Right now the most present, and guaranteed community members within our schools are our students. I think that as we take on the challenge of adjusting and excelling throughout this school year and the future, we must listen to the youth and apply their insight. The youth are the only beings with the firsthand point of reference of what it feels like to be in school earning an education during this time in society. Amplifying their voices and applying their insights can unearth what we need to see, and don’t see as adults, in our school communities. Their voices are unique, valid, and resilient. I think listening to them can help us understand how to healthily adjust with an Agile Mindset. 

The Benefits of Having an Agile Mindset

At Boys Latin Middle School the leadership team, led by Principal Robert Parker, has led the school to adopt a Growth Mindset, and this has truly enhanced my experience teaching in the school community. What I’ve noticed is that I am more open to learning and optimizing my approach to teaching. There are many factors that can change the direction of this school year – such as rising COVID cases, state guidelines, families with undetermined vaccination statuses, etc; in addition to all the socio-economic factors that influence our mental stability and clarity. Navigating a year like this requires patience, balance, resilience, and a willingness to go with the flow; all of which can be achieved through also embracing an Agile Mindset.

In the tech industry, agility is a huge part of tech culture. Technology evolves so fast, that tech professionals must stay proactively informed, be open to change, and remain ahead of the curve to innovate new solutions. I think students and communities of color are uniquely equipped to embrace agility because many of us live by the basis of needing to make something out of nothing, and making the most out of whatever situations emerge. There is an opportunity to lean into this to maximize our engagement and development within our school communities; especially during this school year where it counts the most for the future of education. 

As a Tech Educator and EdTech professional, listening to my students and the communities I serve in real-time has empowered me to adjust to support their needs effectively and efficiently. What makes this work is their ability to receive and adjust to the support I provide them in return – there is reciprocity.  This same reciprocity can be seen in the tech industry through team work models for collaborating on projects, such as SCRUM. We live in a very invigorating time where students and their families are gaining a unique experience and exposure to tech and the tech industry through school. I think it is a critical time to amplify the youth’s voices for them to refine their perspectives and gain the confidence to express themselves clearly. Together, their voices and perspectives on schooling and technology, can enhance our collective approach to adjusting to this school year’s challenges, and provide insights to leverage moving forward.

Ways to Amplify Student Voices and Adopt an Agile Mindset with EdTech tools

I think the most enduring benefit of adopting an Agile Mindset is that it is achievable. 

Now, more than ever, our respect for one another as a community is required to maintain our public health, both physically and mentally. At any point, the way we operate can change; which is why I think it is important to have the aptitude to communicate, process and implement solutions with an Agile Mindset. Below is a list of tools I’ve either used, or learned, about that I think can be useful in engaging students to share their authentic voice confidently, and help them express solutions effectively:

Tool 1 – Schooly (Mobile Schedule Planning App)

I think students can benefit from planning and organizing their time independently using tools like Schooly because it fosters more ownership of their learning process and capacity; which can amplify their voice through actualizing their ability to self-advocate. Last year, during virtual learning, I noticed that many students got new jobs or increased their hours at work. This resulted in many students mismanaging their time, or not having the capacity to fully show up in completing their school work. With tools like Schooly, students can develop a more conscious understanding of their capacity, gain the insight on how to manage their time more critically, and build confidence in their ability to express their needs. 

Tool 2 – Grammarly (Mobile & Desktop Writing Editing App)

I think students can benefit immensely from using Grammarly in addition to its main use for writing assignments. This tool also can help students with writing effective emails (or memos); which is extremely important for maintaining clear communication with students about what’s going on in their lives. Last year, during virtual learning, I witnessed many high school students were either babysitting or helping their younger siblings also navigate virtual learning throughout the school day. This made it harder for students to stay focused, or effectively learn; and oftentimes the severity of these circumstances were not fully communicated to properly aid students. I think tools like Grammarly aid students with ensuring their messages are clear, and can further build their confidence in knowing that there are supports out there that can ensure their communication is understood and received.

Tool 3 – I Am (Daily Affirmations App)

In my home I keep a jar of folded pieces of paper with affirmations written on them; and on most days I pull out one and read the affirmation to start my day. This self-care practice empowers me to begin my day with an intentional mindset; and this allows me to focus on what I say and how I say it. I think students can gain these same benefits from using the I Am app. As an Educator, I’m eager to implement this tool in my classes to help students build their mindset, whether through writing assignments, classroom processes, or encouraging their personal use. I think using a tool like this will help develop student’s mindsets in order for them to become more conscious, self-aware, and confident to express themselves.

Tool 4 – Canva (Mobile and Desktop Graphic Design Platform)

At the first school I taught in Philadelphia, the beginning of this school year started off very tumultuous because there were multiple students who passed away in that school’s community due to gun violence. In response, the school led a protest/rally to console the community and speak up on the severe issue of gun violence. At this rally students made some of the most dynamic posters with very powerful messages that showed all of us sides of their consciousness that we may have not seen or noticed before. I think  Canva is a powerful tool that we can encourage students to use more to help them make designs that display what they think and care about. I think using Canva as a tool for self-expression can empower students to not only use their voice, but also make it tangible to share their insight.

Tool 5 – Google Slides (Mobile and Desktop Presentation Tool)

As an entrepreneur and tech professional, the most effective way I’ve been able to galvanize people behind my ideas is through creating and sharing my ideas in presentations (also known as pitch decks). Most students understand the basics about using presentation tools, like Google Slides; which is why I think we, as Educators and EdTech professionals, should lean into creating more opportunities for students to expand their understanding of what they can do, and how far they can go with a very well curated and designed slides presentation. From what I’ve observed in the schools I’ve been exposed to, students are mainly tasked with using Google Slides to present a senior (or career prep) project or research reports. I think we can further develop students’ confidence in their voice and vision by giving them assignments that require them to pitch ideas, or organize teams and share their team’s work. I think these kinds of Google Slides projects can help students  practice and exhibit their leadership skills through implementing what they think into a presentation’s design, and using their voices to present. 

These are just a few EdTech solutions to address only some of the socio-economic factors that I’ve noticed, and experienced, students of color face. In the bigger picture of society, I think it is important that we work to create a landscape that is more empathetic to what different students are facing and how the pandemic exacerbated previous existing systemic issues. Students are living through the same pandemic but experiencing it differently based on their socioeconomic status. As this generation grows up, the differences in disparities that they’ve faced during this pandemic will be a part of what separates them in addition to many of the other systemic issues that have plagued our society. 

What the Future Holds

The issues that youth of color are facing are not to be taken lightly. We are at an inflection point in society where we can choose to fulfill the status quo or put our best and most energy into revolutionizing and revitalizing our society for a more equitable and inclusive future. There’s a quote that emerged from a 13th century Mexican revolutionary that states, “they tried to bury us, but they didn’t know we were seeds.” What this quote says to me is that my community’s issues will not be overlooked or assaged. I am a firm believer that investing deep attention to detail into the systemic issues of communities of color can unearth society’s deepest structural issues. Specifically as a Black woman, people from my background are historically the most disenfranchised, and I truly believe addressing the issues we face can unearth the solutions that are needed to create more equitable solutions that can sustain society as a whole. 

When I look at our youth, I think about how I couldn’t imagine being a student in school right now trying to learn how to advance in society through education while the landscape of society is constantly changing, more rapidly than it ever has before. However, I’ve noticed many of our youth are hopeful and up for the challenge to proactively design their future. As adults and leaders, I think we need to lean into our youth, amplify their voices, and listen to their insights in order to support them with solutions that address the issues only they’re aware of. As leaders and members of the EdTech community, I think building out tools that support students in providing their insights and feedback can lead the communities we serve to become more involved in the learning process and support them as they learn. 

Programming Languages Explained: Python vs. JavaScript / CSS / HTML

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The differences, similarities, and why any form of tech education is important.

You’ve likely seen Python mentioned among other traditional programming languages, including JavaScript (JS) and CSS/HTML. In fact, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, and Python all fall in the top three languages that developers use in their careers, according to the annual Stack Overflow survey (2021). 

With Python’s increasing exposure, it’s important to understand how it relates to the other programming languages available, how it’s different, and provide perspective on where it fits in the classroom with your students. Let’s get started by first providing a quick overview of exactly what Python, HTML/CSS, and JavaScript are so you have a basic understanding.

Programing Languages

What is Python?

First released in 1991, Python is a general-purpose programming language that can be used in a range of applications, including data science, software development, and automation. According to Python.org, Python is an interpreted, object-oriented, high-level programming language with dynamic semantics. 

The programming language has been notably used to create Netflix’s recommendation algorithm and software that controls self-driving cars, according to an article by Coursera. The Python interpreter and standard library are freely available in source or binary form for all major platforms from the Python Web site.

A fun fact about Python, creator Guido van Rossum came up with the name while reading published scripts from “Monty Python’s Flying Circus”.

What is HTML?

Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) is a coding language used to build websites. Specifically, HTML’s job is to label and organize content such as headings, paragraphs, lists and images, so that the web browser (e.g. Chrome, Firefox, etc.) knows how the page should look.

What is CSS?

Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) is a coding language that pairs with HTML. It works by defining a series of rules for how the HTML should look (colors, spacing, etc). CSS is helpful for establishing the layout and personality of a website.

What is JavaScript?

JavaScript (JS) can be combined with HTML/CSS to bring websites to life. JavaScript is a versatile programming language that can be used for animation, dynamic apps, interactive games and more.

The Importance of Understanding a “Stack”

While JavaScript has been the most commonly used programming language for the past nine years, it’s important to mention that professional programmers are often fluent in several languages that make up what is called a “stack”.

A stack is a set of languages or frameworks that work together to accomplish common computing tasks. For example, HTML/CSS and JavaScript make up what is called a “front-end stack” because these languages are used to create what you see while on a website. Python, PHP, and SQL make up the “back-end stack” and are used to handle website databases and control how websites function with hosts and servers.

Differences and Similarities Between Programming Languages

When the question comes up, “which is better, Python or JavaScript?”, it really depends on what kind of computing tasks you might be interested in doing. Front-end developers (HTML/CSS and Javascript) spend more time working on the design, layout and the function of websites, while back-end developers (Python, PHP, and SQL) are concerned with security, networks and databases. No matter which language interests you the most, as a professional programmer you will need to study and learn the accompanying languages that make up your chosen stack.

When the question comes up, “which is better, Python or JavaScript?”, it really depends on what kind of computing tasks you might be interested in doing.

Why BSD Uses JS and HTML/CSS

At BSD Education, we feel strongly that any type of coding and digital skills instruction is vital to a student’s education and future in navigating our digital world. We have chosen the front-end stack as a part of our digital skills curriculum because it satisfies a range of interests, including design, layout, functionality, UI/UX, gaming, AI and VR. By learning three languages together to develop more interests, and ultimately more skills, students are provided a more complete learning experience that learning one language can’t match. This broad range of skills stretches beyond the keyboard and includes key computational thinking and critical thinking skills vital to learning in any other core subject.

In addition, when we think about the most powerful technologies that we use everyday, most of them operate in the web browser, which is what HTML/CSS and JavaScript are used for. Every website and web application that you have ever used were made using this front-end stack. 

If students are interested in becoming computer scientists, they may need to learn Java, Python, JavaScript, or other languages depending on the accreditation program. For example, Java has been the language of choice for the Advanced Placement college equivalent course that is available in many High Schools in the U.S. Many commonly used frameworks for Computer Science do not even list a specific programming language, but instead provide a map for concepts that are found in most languages, like algorithms, variables, control structures and modularity. Both the British IGCSE and the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) publish curricular guidelines and standards that focus on computer science concepts instead of specific languages. 

What Fits for Your Classroom?

Ultimately when it comes to the Python versus JavaScript and HTML/CSS showdown, it really depends on what you want to do with your knowledge of programming and what goals you have as a developer. 

Whether you have no experience or are ready to take your tech education to the next level, BSD provides the support and intuitive platform to help you teach these front-end stack digital skills. In a matter of minutes using BSD, students will begin building their first website, create a mobile app, or even a fun game they can play with friends. BSD makes it possible for any teacher of any subject to incorporate coding and digital skills into their curriculum so students are future ready.

Contact us today so we can address your unique needs and develop a partnership that will help your students reach further and have an experience that will equip them with the skills they will need for tomorrow, no matter what career path they choose. 

Learning Acceleration through Summer and After-school Programs

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Making up for Learning Loss During the Pandemic

With classroom seats to be filled with students once again this fall, there is a sense we’re turning a corner. Although schools aren’t “normal,” reopening is upon us. And the opportunities to recover from learning loss due to the pandemic are now possible.

Learning acceleration is vital in recovering what learning that was lost during the pandemic. A task that will require schools to innovate in their approach to students. According to research by McKinsey & Company, students “lost the equivalent of three months of learning in mathematics and reading,” according to research by McKinsey & Company. Brittany Jenkins, the founder of We Are Tech, argues the impact of learning loss is more profound for communities of color. See this post where she outlines three ways to address the growing divide. 

On average, students “lost the equivalent of three months of learning in mathematics and one-and-a-half months of learning in reading.”

McKinsey & Company

Simply put, students are behind, and now comes the time to help them recover. So how do we create environments for successful learning acceleration? 

The After-school Solution to Learning Loss

This year, schools have limited resources to address learning loss, especially when summer and after-school programs significantly impact learning. Currently, K-12 students spend more than 80 percent of their waking hours learning outside of school. In contrast, according to the Afterschool Alliance, more than 10 million students nationwide rely on after-school programs. 

The number of students and hours spent in after-school programs presents an opportunity, with research highlighting their effectiveness. This research reveals how critical they can be in accelerating learning for students. According to the Expanded Learning and Afterschool Project, regular after-school program attendance can  lower dropout rates and increase attendance, close achievement gaps for low-income students, improve performance in the classroom, and increase social, emotional well-being. 

Build Meaningful Programs through Tech Education

While the general value of after-school programs is hard to argue, the quality of such programs is critical. Schools that integrate coding and digital skills learning can ensure learning loss is effectively addressed.

Digital skills are part of the solution. Digital skills like web, game, and app development are fun and engaging ways to reinforce core subjects through real-world application.

Another benefit of digital skills is enhancing skills like computational thinking, which can lift students’ abilities across subjects. This is an important benefit after an unconventional school year.

Addressing Learning Loss through Future-Proof Skills

Enhancing learning acceleration in core subjects allows schools to emphasize STEM careers and TechEd through OST programming. However, according to a recent iD Tech survey, 65% of parents with children in online or hybrid schools don’t believe the STEM offerings their child received during the pandemic meet their standards of quality, engaging activities. 

65% of parents with children in online or hybrid school don’t believe the STEM offerings their child received during the pandemic meet their standards of quality, engaging activities.

iD Tech

Recognizing the need to future-proof their students, the Elementary Institute of Science (EIS) partnered with BSD Education. This partnership aims to integrate digital skills in their Steps-2-STEM after-school program. 

One aspect will be expanding access to high-quality tech education, which will be made available through the partnership with BSD. Additionally, EIS provides STEM experiences that foster critical thinking and technical skills that encourage students to pursue STEM careers.

“This partnership with BSD will help level the playing field for many students who haven’t accessed these increasingly more important digital skills,” said Jim Stone, Executive Director at EIS. “Closing the digital divide is about more than hardware; it’s about creating digital literacy for everyone, and this partnership will help make this happen.”

A Partner for Learning Acceleration

Addressing learning loss due to the pandemic will take time and can’t be addressed through a single action or solution. However, quality summer and after-school programs will significantly reduce the impact of learning loss and helping students move forward. In addition, with the integration of tech education and digital skills, students can accelerate their progress. 

Coding and other digital skills seem daunting, but teachers don’t need any tech experience to get started with BSD’s curriculum. Instead, we allow educators with expertise to increase their capacity and continue to innovate. Contact us today to develop a partnership that will help your students reach further and be future-ready.

How Online EdTech Platforms Can Strengthen Formative Assessments

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Incorporating formative assessments in your classroom to see how students learn in real-time can often feel like an impossible challenge. While understanding your student’s comprehension is necessary, a teacher has many questions and concerns when implementing formative assessments. 

  • How do you find the time to incorporate these assessments?
  • Do you truly know your students understand the key topics?
  • Which students are ready to move on and which ones are not?
  • Are these assessments framing the next lesson?

Integrating the right tech education platform can take the guessing game out of formative assessments and provide teachers with a quick, easy, and accurate gauge of vital student comprehension. The lack of complicated grading systems or point levels, but rather a focus on genuine understanding, allow teachers of any subject to feel confident their students are learning and developing coding skills. With this comprehension, they will hold onto throughout their education life and into their careers. 

Outside of the importance of knowing what your students are learning, here are three benefits of incorporating formative assessments through tech education:

Free Up Time

It sounds counterintuitive to think adding formative assessments would decrease workload, but that is the case with the right platform. Instead of developing mechanisms to gauge student comprehension, teachers can use a tech education platform like a classroom management system.

For Alicia Johal, Middle School Robotics Teacher & Assistant Director of Center for Innovation at the San Diego Jewish Academy, the real-time assessments offered by BSD Education in the classroom have opened the door for her to productively engage with students. In addition, these assessments let her do what she does best – teach.

“I can go in at any time of the day and check and see what project a student is on, what step they are on, how long they’ve spent on that step, and see how they are doing in the class,” said Johal.

Improve Dialogue and Collaboration

Students use an online, self-guided platform, while teachers like Alicia use the platform to accurately understand where to help them. This identifies possible issues students are having, but it also increases dialogue and collaboration between teachers and students.

“I’ve never talked to my students so much while they’re coding, and that is powerful,” said Johal. “Not only for their comprehension, but they are also talking about it. That sort of dialogue is so powerful, and I think that’s why they remember more than what I see them remember with other programs.”

Increase Student Engagement

Providing instant feedback for a student through formative assessments plays a significant role in maintaining student engagement. For Alicia’s students, the consistent feedback and progress displayed have helped them focus and overcome obstacles.

“They’re getting these little prompts after each step when they do it correctly, and I feel like it’s an intrinsic motivation,” said Johal. “They see their progress and movement within each class period. I’m always surprised that they don’t get bored or complain, and I think it’s the interface. Being able to see how they’re doing all the time makes a big difference.”

As classroom sizes grow, utilizing time efficiently has never been more critical for teachers. Tech education and BSD can empower educators of any subject or experience level to incorporate practical formative assessments that ensure students walk away with digital skills they can use for the rest of their lives. 

Learn how you can partner with BSD Education today and begin helping your students develop 21st-century skills.

Create Fun and Meaningful Summer Learning Programs using Tech Education

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The demand to solve summer learning loss is heating up. While it would be difficult to make up for lost time during the pandemic, teachers will need this summer to refocus children.

However, while a priority on addressing learning loss will be crucial this summer. So will addressing the social and emotional well-being of students after experiencing a year unlike any other. 

“Summer presents a key opportunity for school districts and community partners to accelerate learning and provide new avenues for students to safely engage with each other in fun activities” said, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

“Reimagining interesting, engaging summer programming that is available to all students will help our communities heal and rebuild.”

Given that summer school might feel like a punishment for students, teachers must create an enjoyable and engaging learning atmosphere. Integrating fun tech education projects rooted in coding offers students a fun outlet that also provides them with real-world skills.

BSD Education Vice President of Education Mark Barnett recently explained why making learning fun is more than just having fun.

It can affect students’ understanding and whether or not they leave the classroom with practical abilities. Because children love games and learning by play, incorporating technology into summer learning activities can be a success.

“BSD Education believes that children are born to play. Hence, our curriculum are focusing on producing digital artifacts like web pages and games” said Barnett. “Our students are experiencing iteration, meaningful contexts, enjoyable experiences, and social interactions, as stated in the Pedagogy of Play.”

“At BSD Education, like LEGO, we know that children are inherently tuned for play, which is why our curriculum is project-focused and is centered around creating and making digital artifacts such as web pages, games, and interactive elements. By engaging in the process of making something like a webpage or video game, our students are experiencing the same characteristics of play that are described in the Pedagogy of Play: iteration, meaningful contexts, joyful experiences, and social interactions.”

Mark Barnett, BSD’s VP of Education

BSD is here to help you teach 21st century digital skills while creating a learning environment that’s enjoyable for students using a variety of coding projects, including building a website or developing a personalized game. Contact us today to see how you can partner with BSD for your summer learning programs.

Reconnecting Student & Teacher Relationships Through Tech Education

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It’s safe to say levels of anxiety are at an all-time high worldwide, especially in classrooms. COVID-19 forced students into isolation, and now many students lack engagement and difficulty building confidence in their abilities due to this disconnect. The question has become how can we reconnect students and teachers through tech education?

Education Week outlines the importance of the teacher/student relationship and how making this connection is essential for academic success. Author Arianna Prothero speaks with Laura Phillips, a neuropsychologist with the Child Mind Institute, about this critical aspect.

“We know that kids learn best when they feel safe and secure; when they feel anxious and aroused and uncomfortable, learning stops,” said Phillips. “To maximize the school year, we need to help kids feel safe and connected to the people with whom they are interacting.”

Building these relationships doesn’t happen overnight and can be challenging. However, integrating tech education into any curriculum can help overcome obstacles that prevent teachers from connecting to their students. Here are three ways how tech education can help:

1. Increase Engagement Through Personalized Projects 

Maintaining student engagement can be difficult, but introducing digital skills that allow for customized projects and self-expression pique students’ interests. Using real-world coding provides students the chance to build a personalized adventure game or create their first website. These projects help students make a connection between their studies and what they value most in their lives. Additionally, this opens the door for teachers to connect their own experiences and likes/dislikes with the student, leading to opportunities for meaningful connections.

In addition, introducing tech education can allow students to make vital connections to the digital tools they use daily. Finally, creating a learning environment that applies to the world our students live in makes it easier for them to stay engaged in a meaningful way and helps teachers foster relationships that will help them succeed in the classroom.  

2. Digital Skills Can Help Build Social-Emotional Learning

Tech education can often feel cold and anything but a tool to build social-emotional learning. However, at BSD Education, we have designed a tool beyond website and app development rooted in coding. It makes hard, cognitive, and soft skills that teach students to C.A.R.E – Curious, Adaptable, Resilient, and Empathetic. 

By blending critical social-emotional learning with engaging tech education, building a meaningful relationship between teachers and students becomes more attainable. BSD’s VP of Education, Mark Barnett, examines how BSD helps students develop self-esteem, empathy, and skills needed for their futures through carefully crafted lessons.

“We at BSD believe in developing social-emotional capacity as well and feel that social-emotional learning should fit together with any skill development,” said Barnett. “This is why we have designed all of our curriculum around our philosophy of CARE.”

“We at BSD believe in developing social-emotional capacity as well and feel that social-emotional learning should fit together with any skill development,” said Barnett. “This is why we have designed all of our curriculum around our philosophy of CARE.”

Mark Barnett, BSD’s VP of Education

3. Make Connections by Learning Together

Integrating tech education into your curriculum might be a new experience for you and seem daunting, but BSD’s unrivaled support and intuitive platform make it as turnkey as possible. Using a platform that will be there with you every step of the way will help you learn and grow right alongside your students. Co-learning by digital teaching skills can be a bonding experience between teachers and students in the classroom.  

Are you ready to build relationships with your students by introducing digital skills to your classroom? BSD is more than a product. We are a partner in delivering 21st-century skills to students worldwide. We encourage you to reach out so we can help you make these vital connections that could change the future for your students.