# Reflecting on Summer PD **URL:** \ **Category:** CS in Algebra\ **Created:** [June 25, 2015, 9:56pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802 "2015-06-25T21:56:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![josh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.code.org/josh/32/868_2.png) [@josh](https://forum.code.org/u/josh)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2015, 9:56pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/1 "2015-06-25T21:56:31Z")
Take a moment to reflect here on your experience in the Summer PD. What elements of the pedagogy and curriculum do you feel more comfortable with? In which areas do you see a need for growth? What can [Code.org](http://Code.org), our facilitators, or your local cohort do to help ensure your success throughout the year? ---
**Author:** ![mxs5625](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@mxs5625](https://forum.code.org/u/mxs5625)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2015, 9:14pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/2 "2015-07-10T21:14:44Z")
After taking the course in person and attending the classes the online material makes sense and it’s more easily understood. ---
**Author:** ![lisa\_morgan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/6f9a4e/32.png) [@lisa\_morgan](https://forum.code.org/u/lisa_morgan)\ **Post date:** [July 20, 2015, 3:55am UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/3 "2015-07-20T03:55:09Z")
I feel empowered! Within two days of learning about the Design Recipe, I found an application! My husband wanted a formula to calculate how much “in-game” gold he’d need for his character upgrades, but the per-level costs of the upgrades weren’t linear, and he wanted the sum of multiple upgrades. The long and short of it is that I was able to create a design recipe that helped me solve the problem! With the elation I felt solving that problem, I can imagine how empowered my students will feel when they catch the vision of what this can do! ---
**Author:** ![bsanti](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9e8a1a/32.png) [@bsanti](https://forum.code.org/u/bsanti)\ **Post date:** [August 5, 2015, 9:27pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/4 "2015-08-05T21:27:59Z")
I have always thought that a strong connection between CS and Math existed. After taking the PD, I better understand this connection. I also realized that my math stills (especially Algebra) are not a good as I thought. I will be relearning Algebra while teaching CS. Scary, Fun, Exciting. ---
**Author:** ![raquel\_garcia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/3e96dc/32.png) [@raquel\_garcia](https://forum.code.org/u/raquel_garcia)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2015, 3:53pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/5 "2015-08-12T15:53:21Z")
I really like how the course is set up with the check mark green circles when each stage is completed. I think my students will respond well to this also. I have never had a online PD that was so user friendly and enjoyable. There were times that it was challenging but I was proud of my achievement when I completed the puzzles or functions. I think a way that [code.org](http://code.org) might support us is to have videos of teachers using the strategies in the classroom with real students. I am excited to start in using what I have learned with my students but I know there will be some kinks to iron out as there always is when starting something new. I think our next face to face professional development will be much more enlightening as we will have gained real live experience. ---
**Author:** ![sbchorba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/65b543/32.png) [@sbchorba](https://forum.code.org/u/sbchorba)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2015, 1:11am UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/6 "2015-08-16T01:11:46Z")
The course work was better than I expected. I think that the contracts are something that will lead my students to be critical thinkers and, hopefully, better understand the transition from seeing a challenge and constructing a method for problem solving. I am excited about the coming year and I can’t wait to see how my students do with this. ---
**Author:** ![jgreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@jgreen](https://forum.code.org/u/jgreen)\ **Post date:** [August 20, 2015, 10:09pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/7 "2015-08-20T22:09:26Z")
I’m excited to try this. I found it interesting so I won’t have to fake that part of the teaching process. I still need to work on conditionals but I think I’m just overthinking things. I like how the videos at the end of this walked thru the basics of setting up the classroom and how to access the materials. Phew! I just need access to someone who can answer questions when I get turned around. Once I’m on my way - good to go! ---
**Author:** ![jgreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@jgreen](https://forum.code.org/u/jgreen)\ **Post date:** [August 21, 2015, 3:38am UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/8 "2015-08-21T03:38:07Z")
Replying to my own reply ---
**Author:** ![armstrongr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/47e85d/32.png) [@armstrongr](https://forum.code.org/u/armstrongr)\ **Post date:** [August 24, 2015, 2:53am UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/9 "2015-08-24T02:53:30Z")
I am excited to start using this in the classroom! ---
**Author:** ![anoukazedan22](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.code.org/anoukazedan22/32/210_2.png) [@anoukazedan22](https://forum.code.org/u/anoukazedan22)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 12:26am UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/10 "2015-08-27T00:26:55Z")
i’m taking the course right now( CS\ Algebra) and i need help in stage 2 (convert blocks to math), it’s like no matter what arithmetic expressions i wrote it always not the correct answer. Ex:( 4+5) i wrote it (evaluate four plus five), (take four sum five),(four plus five), (add four and five), and other answers and all of my answers are wrong :(… i don’t know what to do??? ---
**Author:** ![josh](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.code.org/josh/32/868_2.png) [@josh](https://forum.code.org/u/josh)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2015, 5:37pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/11 "2015-08-27T17:37:18Z")
Are you writing it out in English like the examples you’ve given? Did you try just 4+5? ---
**Author:** ![anoukazedan22](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.code.org/anoukazedan22/32/210_2.png) [@anoukazedan22](https://forum.code.org/u/anoukazedan22)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 12:47am UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/12 "2015-08-28T00:47:43Z")
yes, i wrote it just like i explained, and no i did not try it this way, but i will, thanks ---
**Author:** ![kmcleod](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f475e1/32.png) [@kmcleod](https://forum.code.org/u/kmcleod)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2015, 3:40am UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/13 "2015-08-28T03:40:50Z")
I am really looking forward to having students work on these puzzles and using the connections to algebra. I like the teacher resources I have seen on the website. They seem really straightforward and easy to use. ---
**Author:** ![mlredmond1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@mlredmond1](https://forum.code.org/u/mlredmond1)\ **Post date:** [August 29, 2015, 6:51am UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/14 "2015-08-29T06:51:38Z")
I really like and feel comfortable with the evaluation blocks. I would like more practice with writing definitions. I wish the videos gave more examples of what the practice problems require. ---
**Author:** ![kami\_mclaughlin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/da6949/32.png) [@kami\_mclaughlin](https://forum.code.org/u/kami_mclaughlin)\ **Post date:** [August 30, 2015, 4:26am UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/15 "2015-08-30T04:26:25Z")
I am excited to begin teaching this course, but I am nervous since I took the course at the beginning of the summer. Reviewing in this 2nd part was helpful, but I will still be completing everything again just before the students as we progress through the program. Will we be provided the PowerPoint that was used during our training? ---
**Author:** ![mguzman84](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/779978/32.png) [@mguzman84](https://forum.code.org/u/mguzman84)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 12:05am UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/16 "2015-09-02T00:05:18Z")
Taking the courses online and in person has helped me understand the process to find the different ways to solve the puzzles. ---
**Author:** ![tpp8461](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b77776/32.png) [@tpp8461](https://forum.code.org/u/tpp8461)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2015, 7:54pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/17 "2015-09-02T19:54:06Z")
I feel comfortable with coding itself but I find that to find time for teaching CS in Algebra in a 2 quarter Algebra 1 can be challenging. When I start to implement it, I’m sure I’ll have more questions on how to best teach a certain lesson ---
**Author:** ![sblack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@sblack](https://forum.code.org/u/sblack)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 5:09am UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/18 "2015-09-04T05:09:07Z")
I was challenged when learning this new program language so I can only imagine what my students may feel at times. I will need to let my students know that we will be learning together. I did feel that the in person training is best as I like the face to face help rather than just watching videos on my own. ---
**Author:** ![esthompson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d26b3c/32.png) [@esthompson](https://forum.code.org/u/esthompson)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 1:57pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/19 "2015-09-04T13:57:47Z")
After going through the blending online Phase II, I understand the different concepts. ---
**Author:** ![esthompson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d26b3c/32.png) [@esthompson](https://forum.code.org/u/esthompson)\ **Post date:** [September 4, 2015, 2:38pm UTC](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802/20 "2015-09-04T14:38:53Z")
The online PD was great. My colleague and I was able to talk when I got stuck on certain complex puzzles. The online phase helped me reflect on Phase I. [Next page](https://forum.code.org/t/reflecting-on-summer-pd/802.md?page=2)