Fostering Creativity and Community Through Student Creation and No-Code Solutions
Photo by Zainul Yasni on Unsplash
The Appoquinimink School District, known for its commitment to innovative educational approaches, has recently taken a bold leap into the future by embracing no-code solutions to foster student creativity. This journey began at Lorewood Grove Elementary School. The students and teachers embarked on remarkable missions that enriched their learning and brought together the local town of Whitehall and their community in unique ways, marking new chapters in the school district's history.
One such story revolves around the active learning and student creation experience led by Lorewood Grove teachers Ms. Zeroka and Mr. Penland. They utilized Glide and other no-code tools to help students illustrate their understanding of insects. First, students researched various insects, including their food and diet, habitat, and fun facts. They then gathered copyright-free images and added their content to a class Glide app, showcasing all of their insects.
To further engage their students, Ms. Zeroka and Mr. Penland encouraged them to add their apps to their school iPads. This gave the students a sense of ownership over their creations and made sharing their work with classmates and teachers easy. In addition, the class apps were shared with class families and featured in the school newsletter to increase the authentic audience and showcase the students' achievements.
Images of an LGE Grade 2 Class Insects Project
The second story highlights the STEM/Technology class at Lorewood Grove Elementary, led by the passionate and dedicated Mrs. Moritz-Rosner. She introduced her students to video game design using Microsoft MakeCode Arcade, which inspired them to create an in-person arcade experience in the school library. The students' games were playtested with the help of two Glide apps, and the young creators received valuable feedback. This experience connected the school with the local community on a deeper level and paved the way for future collaboration.
The main page of the LGE Arcade Showcase App (left), and an example of the testing feedback app for student iteration (right)
These stories illustrate the power of no-code solutions in fostering creativity, collaboration, and community engagement within the Appoquinimink School District. By incorporating Glide and Microsoft MakeCode Arcade into their curriculum, teachers like Mrs. Moritz-Rosner, Ms. Zeroka, and Mr. Penland are equipping their students with the tools and resources necessary to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Furthermore, the in-person arcade experience, insect research project, and associated Glide apps have allowed young creators to connect with their community and share their talents with the world. These projects have boosted students' confidence in their work while fostering a sense of camaraderie and pride among community members.
In conclusion, the Appoquinimink School District's foray into no-code solutions is an inspiring tale of innovation, creativity, and community-building. Through integrating Glide and Microsoft MakeCode Arcade into high-quality instructional curricula, teachers like Mrs. Moritz-Rosner, Ms. Zeroka, and Mr. Penland have demonstrated the transformative potential of no-code platforms in education. As more schools and educators follow in their footsteps, the future of learning looks brighter than ever, with limitless opportunities for students to thrive, connect with their communities, and share their talents with the world.