This Teacher Candidate did not grow up with technology in the classroom. This TC got excited anytime the massive TV trolley was rolled into the classroom and a VHS was put in- you knew it was going to be a good day. Throughout University (the first time…) our professors thought that we were “Too used to our technology and therefore needed a reminder what it was likc ‘back then.'” so, instead of “tinkering” or “exploring” what the internet had to offer, we were plundering libraries for primary and secondary sources that could be physically held in your hand. So when it was time for our “Coding Workshop” where we used the free online program called “Scratch” I definitely was excited to learn and become more confident and competent with coding given my lack of experience but if I am being totally honest, and entirely different lesson came out of it than I had expected.

I’ve always known that learning styles and teaching styles exist, and the best way to be great at both learning and teaching, is to be adaptable at how we give and receive information to gain the most out of our experience. Sometimes, no matter how hard we try as a teacher or learner, our styles and adaptations of our styles, still won’t jive, and therefore the material will not be fully comprehended. Sadly, this was the case with our workshop BUT before you think this is a sad blog, oh reader it is not! I learned, that I became “that student” and in turn, I have learned how to reach “that student” based on my own personal experience.

Where my learning style would have flourished with this particular workshop, would have been if we were in person. Of course, you and I both know this is not possible with COVID but in person would have been better for the reasons of: not having to flip back and forth between tabs where I was constructing my coding and the workshop at hand and being able to ask questions openly and the presenter easily able to see my screen what was going wrong vs. me having to explain it.

Our presenters were amazing, well-spoken, knowledgeable, patient and kind. Our speakers also stopped to ask us if we were doing okay, and took questions when we had them. So, Rae, what went wrong with you then? I’m so glad you asked…

Our main objective was to through coding, create a cat to move towards it’s ball in a variety of ways and directions. Now let’s all laugh together when I tell you that when we needed to move the cat towards the ball, my cat turned green, multiplied by 100, and each cat was enlarged sideways giving it a rather “bloated” look, oh and the ball? I think I deleted it. I was so lost trying to keep up with what was being presented, and was so determined that I would “get it” that I got lost in the instruction and was so far down a rabbit hole that I had no idea how to get out. I found myself tuning out of the discussion and shutting down because I was frustrated with myself… until I realized this is exactly what I’ve seen with some of my students in the past. So what did I do?

I tinkered. ADST’s main source of exploration is to allow “tinkering” to occur. So as the presentation continued, I was able to reflect on some of the skills they had given me at the start, and start over fresh. Instead of trying to make the cat move towards the ball, I decided I wanted a horse instead. I also decided we would be playing baseball, and racing another horse around the bases. This became a lot more fun for me once I decided the outcome even though I was making mistakes along the way, I was okay with it because I didn’t have a “set goal” in mind, and therefore did not feel like a failure.

I learned that throughout this coding workshop, that even if a child does not seem to be “on task” to what we envisioned it to be, that we need to stop, look, and listen to what that student is really doing, and in turn, they could also be having valuable learning time throughout their exploration. We should ask questions, pose potential obstacles and learn with/ alongside and take time to understand their perspective.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my experience in the coding workshop. Me and my 100 cats, 2 horses and baseball stadium are all very happy and feeling much more confident and competent with “tinkering” in the Scratch world.