PC-54340.yaml

# Talk details are specified in YAML files
# YAML was selected because we can use multi-line strings and add
# comments in the file.

speaker_name: "Nicole Parrot"

talk_title: "From Zero Code to Python Code"

# At least 1 tag is necessary!!
talk_tags:
- "community and culture"
- "fun"
- "education"
- "micropython"
- "10 minutes"


talk_abstract: "Teaching computational thinking in the classroom is a challenge as there's a wide range of skills, including the teacher's.
The Gigglebot is a microbit rover that covers the steps from no coding to Python coding through a variety of approaches so that no one in the classroom gets left behind."

talk_details: |
  Teaching kids to code can be challenging, especially in a classroom environment. Some are good typists because they come from tech savvy families, and some have only ever swiped their iPhone screens, while others have no tech at home. Competitive robotics can be scary for some, while non-competitive robotics usually get their interest. Bringing non-competitive robotics into the classroom opens up coding to all, but textual code can be daunting.

  The [Gigglebot](https://gigglebot.io) is a Micro:Bit based rover that covers the transition from zero code to Python code, by offering first a block based interface with [MakeCode](https://makecode.microbit.org/), then a Python-based interface [Edublocks](https://microbit.edublocks.org/), then an editor with hand-holding tutorials [Firia Labs](https://make.firialabs.com/), and finally a beginner friendly Python editor [Mu editor](https://codewith.mu/) when the kids are ready to handle Python.

  This approach allows for the greatest flexibility in the classroom where kids can be found with different levels of tech expertise. Projects can be done in any and all of those tools, thus leveling the playing field, and letting everyone develop their computational thinking and problem solving skills.


# Markdown is supported
about_author: 'Nicole has a varied background, with over a decade of C/C++ development, 15 years of homeschooling and teaching kids in school and after school programs, and now a Raspberry Pi specialist working with Dexter Industries and using Python to develop products for school robotics. My main goal is to integrate programming and robotics inside the normal curriculum and not as a competition-oriented afterschool program. Every child should have a chance to see if she likes this field and the best way to reach everyone is to make it a part of the normal curriculum. With that in mind, I have been the main developer of Bloxter, a simple drag and drop language based on Blockly, that allows kids to get started quickly with the GoPiGo3 and teachers to integrate robotics in their regular classes.'

# web link will only show if about_author section is present
author_website: 'http://nicole.parrot.ca/'
	# Talk details are specified in YAML files
	# YAML was selected because we can use multi-line strings and add
	# comments in the file.

	speaker_name: "Nicole Parrot"

	talk_title: "From Zero Code to Python Code"

	# At least 1 tag is necessary!!
	talk_tags:
	- "community and culture"
	- "fun"
	- "education"
	- "micropython"
	- "10 minutes"


	talk_abstract: "Teaching computational thinking in the classroom is a challenge as there's a wide range of skills, including the teacher's.
	The Gigglebot is a microbit rover that covers the steps from no coding to Python coding through a variety of approaches so that no one in the classroom gets left behind."

	talk_details: \|
	Teaching kids to code can be challenging, especially in a classroom environment. Some are good typists because they come from tech savvy families, and some have only ever swiped their iPhone screens, while others have no tech at home. Competitive robotics can be scary for some, while non-competitive robotics usually get their interest. Bringing non-competitive robotics into the classroom opens up coding to all, but textual code can be daunting.

	The [Gigglebot](https://gigglebot.io) is a Micro:Bit based rover that covers the transition from zero code to Python code, by offering first a block based interface with [MakeCode](https://makecode.microbit.org/), then a Python-based interface [Edublocks](https://microbit.edublocks.org/), then an editor with hand-holding tutorials [Firia Labs](https://make.firialabs.com/), and finally a beginner friendly Python editor [Mu editor](https://codewith.mu/) when the kids are ready to handle Python.

	This approach allows for the greatest flexibility in the classroom where kids can be found with different levels of tech expertise. Projects can be done in any and all of those tools, thus leveling the playing field, and letting everyone develop their computational thinking and problem solving skills.




	# Markdown is supported
	about_author: 'Nicole has a varied background, with over a decade of C/C++ development, 15 years of homeschooling and teaching kids in school and after school programs, and now a Raspberry Pi specialist working with Dexter Industries and using Python to develop products for school robotics. My main goal is to integrate programming and robotics inside the normal curriculum and not as a competition-oriented afterschool program. Every child should have a chance to see if she likes this field and the best way to reach everyone is to make it a part of the normal curriculum. With that in mind, I have been the main developer of Bloxter, a simple drag and drop language based on Blockly, that allows kids to get started quickly with the GoPiGo3 and teachers to integrate robotics in their regular classes.'

	# web link will only show if about_author section is present
	author_website: 'http://nicole.parrot.ca/'