Coding to Learn in AP Human Geography? Yes you can!

Ryan Simpson is an educator who is always looking to improve his craft. His passion lies in designing lessons that will engage his learners and present authentic application of course content. Recently, Ryan met with us, his digital learning coaches, to explore innovative ways to integrate technology in his AP Human Geography blended course, including coding robots!

From this personalized PL experience, Mr. Simpson facilitated an economic development learning experience rich with voice and choice and activity variety. In order to answer the essential question, “Why do development and industrialization vary across space and time?” his learners were to research and trace a chosen product’s life from ideation to production facility to distribution. This learning experience was rolled out in 50’s diner style with educators dressed as waiters taking learners’ “orders”. 

Groups were given a menu, “Simpson’s Industrial Diner” and asked to choose an appetizer, main course, and dessert activity for their project.

The learner led aspect was evident from the very beginning with the presentation of an incomplete rubric. In order to empower learners to take ownership and focus their learning, Simpson required group members to work together to complete the “exceeds expectations” and the “below expectations” portion of their own rubrics.

As learners began to work and research their chosen product, they had to keep the “product tracing template” in mind. 

Groups that chose to code Sphero robots had to constantly consider, where the product traveled, what the Sphero will say at each stage of development, the purpose behind Sphero’s movements (speed, color, location for each economic sector) and how to creatively design a map to display all parts of the process. This experience lead to discussions that deepen their understanding of each stage of development. It required them to think of all the tiny details in production and how to display them in a way that would make sense to an outside audience. The computational thinking skills that are needed to code a robot fit seamlessly with the research elements of Mr. Simpson’s content.

Lastly, learners reflected using Flipgrid to discuss “Is outsourcing/globalization helping or hurting America’s economy?”

We are always looking for innovative ways to Code 2 Learn in all content areas. If you have a great project idea or simply looking for a thought partner on this topic please share below.