Emerging Technology & Hour of Code

Next week we will be learning about emerging technologies and will do some activities that are centered around an hour of code.

On Tuesday we will look at some examples of emerging technologies.  Some of the technologies we will talk about are text-to-speech http://www.theverge.com/2013/9/17/4596374/machine-language-how-siri-found-its-voice, and google project glass.  We will discuss pros and cons of various emerging technologies, then students will research and find more about other emerging technologies.  We will finish up with predicting what technologies we will see the most advancement in the next 5 years and discuss what that will look like.  Many of the most in-demand jobs for the next ten years haven't been created yet, so it is important to discuss this.

On Wednesday, we will be participating in a world-wide initiative called hour of code, the largest learning event in history.  The goal is to introduce programming and coding to as many people as possible in one week.  Information about the event can be found here http://hourofcode.com/us.

Wednesday we will be introduced to the basics of code, Thursday will be activities centered around block-coding, and Friday we will have an introduction to java.  Hopefully the kids will have fun, learn lot, and are looking forward to it as much as I am.