OWLet

[eemshi]

Overview: http://slides.com/michellelim-2/owlet-overview

Why

Problems to address:

1. Middle schoolers are hard to engage. There aren't many technology education resources made specifically for this group, who are turned off by things that look "babyish" but also easily intimidated by content that assumes too much.
2. The majority of OWL students don't have access to computers or wifi outside of school.
3. The current curriculum website teaches students how to operate tools and follow instructions, instead of how to apply and reimagine them. They are taught to be computers rather than programmers

We are working with OpenWorld Learning to create a resource library (both original and existing content, thoughtfully curated to work together) and a curriculum structure inspired by the ideas of Alan Kay, Simon Papert/constructivism, Kathy Sierra, Linda Liukas, Elon Musk, et al... It will be open to anyone outside of OWL as well, including teachers looking for ideas and people of any age looking to learn graphic design, animation, web design, programming, and robotics.

Who

• Middle school students at OWL sites (under-resourced schools in the Denver area)
• Teachers and students outside of OWL

  Why CfD

• Tech & STEAM education
• Under-resourced schools
• Creating the next generation of diversity in tech
• Good for learning and teaching within CFD
• nonprofit

  Champion

Michelle Lim

Deadlines

1.0 - October 1.1 - ?

Confirmed Partner

OpenWorld Learning

Waffle board: https://waffle.io/codefordenver/owl-curriculum

[dviramontes]

Great pitch @eemshi ! Looking forward to this project :)

[eemshi]

Criteria to move to VALIDATION stage:

• [x] pitched at code for denver
• [x] The following has to be documented (briefly) in Code for Denver Google docs or on Waffle board card(s). The documentation can be slides, photos of white boards, documents, and/or one line answers to the criteria below, etc. Answers of Not Applicable (N/A) are acceptable. Shorter documentation is better than longer documentation.
• [x] Has to fit C4D mission and vision (see below) https://docs.google.com/drawings/d/1k5xG6qdqwC0XFu2U5T2DhJtyXk13lh1hdsiIMUFVNNg/edit (these need to be listed) See "Why CFD" above
• [x] Named Champion at Code for Denver Michelle Lead developer: David
• [x] Rough timeline 3 months, specifics to come

Description including

• [x] What is it? A curriculum website that guides middle school students through a diverse array of creative technology skills and houses a growing library of resources
• [x] Why is it needed? It is needed primarily for OpenWorld Learning's middle school after-school program, and will be created based on what we have learned about our students' various learning styles and needs over the years. It will also be open to the public, so any teachers can browse through for ideas and anyone who wants to can use it to learn. There are so many great resources already out there and we are curating them along with original exercises that we've been prototyping into a single user-friendly resource.
• [x] Why do you care (as champion)? Most of my students do not have a computer at home and their school doesn't offer a technology class, so after-school is the only time they get any significant time with a computer. Their experience of using technology to learn about technology should be intuitive, enjoyable, and well-designed, not frustrating as it is now. While I work for OWL as an after-school teacher, this curriculum work is voluntary. I decided to take this on because I've seen how the current curriculum and website can hinder their actual learning.
• [x] Who does it help? OWL students (middle schoolers), plus teachers and students outside of OWL
• [x] What is the impact? This will be used every day during the school year by OWL students and offer the public a library of curated curriculum materials specifically geared toward middle schoolers and technology.
• [x] Not something that has already been built
• [x] Code of Denver has expertise or willing to build expertise

If partnered project,

• [x] description of partner organization Mission Statement: OpenWorld Learning (OWL) supports children’s school success by tapping the power of digital technology and peer teaching to develop leadership and ignite a love of learning.
• [x] what will be provided by partner, what will be provided by Code for Denver
• [x] Who is the stakeholder in the partner organization (name and contact info) Michelle
• [x] What is mutual benefit (to partner and Code for Denver)? The CFD team will be experimenting with a micro-service design and learning about different tools along the way.
• [x] Passes "fist of 5 vote" at Code for Denver

[wdoug]

Thanks for filling this info out @eemshi!

[eemshi]

Waffle board: https://waffle.io/codefordenver/owl-curriculum