Beckett Haight Discusses Inclusion and Computer Science Education

About the Guest(s): Beckett Haight is a National Board Certified special educator with extensive experience in special education across three continents and multiple countries, including Mexico, Ecuador, Kuwait, and the Dominican Republic. An advocate for inclusive education, Beckett has worked in high-need schools and currently teaches at an American school in Mexico. He holds a master's degree in Educational Technology and has shared his insights through speaking engagements, such as his recent TEDx talk on teaching computer science.

Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of The Think Inclusive Podcast, host Tim Villegas sits down with Beckett Haight, a seasoned special educator with a global perspective. They delve into Haight's experiences teaching in diverse educational environments and his approach to fostering inclusivity in the classroom. Beckett shares his journey from being a student with an IEP to becoming a passionate advocate for special education.

The discussion highlights Beckett's TEDx talk, "Teaching Every Student Computer Science or How to Code is Not the Answer," challenging the push to make coding a mandatory skill for all students. They explore the importance of critical thinking and foundational skills in education, emphasizing how differentiated instruction can better address student needs. Beckett provides practical strategies for teachers to support diverse learners without lowering standards, advocating for a more nuanced approach to educational differentiation.

Transcript: https://c80acee1-5663-46ff-a2d6-b4cf328e0b7f.usrfiles.com/ugd/c80ace_0e4d2105b07c448fa4a46635d4374552.pdf

Key Takeaways:

• Global Experience in Education: Beckett Haight shares insights from teaching in various countries, emphasizing the universal challenges and strategies in special education.
• Critical Thinking Over Coding: The episode discusses the necessity of prioritizing critical thinking skills over mandatory coding education for all students.
• Differentiation Strategies: Beckett explains the importance of differentiating content, process, and product to meet each student's unique needs without compromising educational standards.
• Learned Helplessness: The conversation explores the concept of learned helplessness in students and how teachers can scaffold learning to build independence and critical thinking.
• Unit Planning with UBD: Beckett suggests using the Understanding by Design (UBD) framework for creating cohesive and effective unit plans that support diverse learners.

Resources:

Beckett Haight's TEDx Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/beckett_haight_teaching_every_student_compsci_or_how_to_code_is_not_the_answer

MCIE: https://www.mcie.org

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