Smart List: 22 Coding and Computer Science Resources - Getting Smart. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates there will be 1.4 million computing jobs but only 400,000 computer-science graduates with the skills to fill them. Looking toward a future of work that includes automation, artificial intelligence and programming, there is no better time to introduce coding to your students. Earlier this month we celebrated #CSEdWeek, an annual program dedicated to inspiring K-12 students to take interest in computer science. Building off of that, here are 22 resources for students and educators: Coding & Computer Science Resources for Schools 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.
Coding Tools and Toys for Kids 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. There are so many other great educational toys available if you’re doing any last minute shopping or planning for other special occasions in 2019. We’re sure we missed some great resources. For more, see: Disclosure: Tom Vander Ark is an advisor for AI4K12. When Robots Teach Kids Computational Thinking—and Kindness. Extra Comp Sci Lessons Associated with Higher Assessment Scores -- THE Journal. Extra Comp Sci Lessons Associated with Higher Assessment Scores Students who did extra computer science activities in transdisciplinary modules scored higher on reading comprehension exams, as well as Florida standardized tests in science and English and language arts (ELA), according to preliminary results from a new study.
The findings are the preliminary results of a National Science Foundation-funded study led by Outlier Research and Evaluation from the University of Chicago and conducted at Broward County Public Schools (BCPS) using computer science education resources from Code.org. For the study, Broward embedded "Code.org Fundamentals lessons in BCPS' nonnegotiable elementary literacy block," according to information released by Outlier. "To do so, BCPS personnel developed 'transdisciplinary' 'Time for CS' (Time4CS) modules that included science, ELA and social studies lessons and associated Code.org lessons connected with a problem-based theme. About the Author. Why schools need to introduce computing in all subjects.
Uri Wilensky, Northwestern University In his recent State of the Union address, President Barack Obama said schools need to offer every student hands-on computer science classes to be better prepared for the workforce. President Obama is right: the next generation of learners will require a high level of fluency with modes of thinking in which computers act as interactive partners. The question is: how best to make sure they acquire that thinking?
Are computing classes the only way to do this? More computer classes There is widespread agreement that computing should play a more prominent role throughout our education system. The STEM Education Act of 2015 was recently passed into law, expanding the definition of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) to include computer science and encouraging more STEM education efforts. Seven of the nation’s largest school districts are adding more computer science classes. Shortage of students Here’s what the current picture looks like: Filling the pipeline for computer science teachers | Science | AAAS. It’s not easy to teach a subject in which you have no training. But Kristen Haubold, a computer science teacher at James Whitcomb Riley High School in South Bend, Indiana, was up for the challenge. Haubold arrived at Riley 5 years ago as a math teacher after graduating from Indiana University in Bloomington.
A year later, Indiana began developing a new computer science requirement for elementary and high school students, and Haubold signed up for the course that the state was offering. She also began looking around for resources to create a curriculum that would meet the new standard, which Indiana officials finalized earlier this year. The course, Computer Science Principles, debuted in 2014. Her isolation is not unusual.
Wilson says that the only way to provide districts with enough computer science teachers is through specifying funding for computer science education and teacher training. Last week President Donald Trump took a small step toward changing that picture. Why Game Design Is an Awesome Introduction to Computer Science - Zulama. By Lily Taylor, Community Advocate Lynn Vanderzyl was new to teaching high school computer science (CS), and she started out in the logical place—teaching a programming course using Visual Basic, Python, and Java. Unfortunately, the course wasn’t engaging her students: “My classes were too small and they dropped my program.”
The following year, the course was redesigned with a focus on game design, with students working together to build video games and learn CS in the process. And it worked! “They are still learning to code but they don’t realize it.” —Lynn Vanderzyl Student demand for this course was so high that Lynn offered four gaming classes in the first year, and all of them were full.
Why is game design an awesome introduction to computer science? As a part of our Computer Science and Professional Development blog series, we asked CS and game design students, teachers, and professionals that question. “It’s culturally relevant for kids.” “It’s culturally relevant for kids. Texas Educator Amy Storer Takes PBL to a Whole New Level | Tynker Blog. Texas has a long history in the pantheon of computing, so it’s no mystery that Texas still creates thousands of computing jobs and will eventually need code-minded students to fill those. Montgomery, TX, educator Amy Storer – also a Tynker Blue Ribbon Educator – makes creativity in the classroom her focus. Along with other dedicated code-minded educators, Amy even moderated Monday’s #Tynkerchat on Twitter! Here’s a little more about Amy: Amy is graduate of Lamar University with a Master’s in Educational Technology Leadership. She is an instructional coach in Montgomery ISD. This coming school year, she will be helping to open up their newest K-5 campus, Keenan Elementary, as their Instructional Coach.
This week, Amy shared her excitement for a new school year of sharing: 1. My motivation comes from a student that I had in my class when I taught 4th grade math/science. 2. Kids want to code. 3. My favorite project is “Let’s Take a Trip to Mars.” 4. 5. Thanks again Amy! Students Should Learn to Code Because it is the Language of the Future – The Tech Edvocate. High school students urge Berea school board to add more computer science coursework. Berea-Midpark High School juniors Alexis Lee and Sam Fredericy spoke to the school board Monday night and asked that a new computer science class be added for the fall.Beth Mlady/Special to cleveland.com BEREA, Ohio -- Juniors Alexis Lee and Sam Fredericy spoke on behalf of other high school students in asking the Berea Board of Education to consider adding a new computer course to the curriculum for next school year.
They made their case for AP Computer Science Principles during Monday night's meeting and submitted a document signed by 38 classmates endorsing their recommendation. "We think it would really benefit kids interested in computer science technology in the years to come," Fredericy said. "Since I'm not sure what I want to do yet (for a career) ... I think AP Computer Science Principles would be a much better option for me (than current course AP Computer Science A). They said they took a survey of other juniors who are taking engineering design and development coursework. An education for the 21st century means teaching coding in schools. When There’s a Will There’s a Way: Getting Creative with Funding Computer Science Education - Zulama. Four years ago, educators in Butler County, Ohio were facing a crisis.
They wanted to implement modern curriculum and teacher training in schools across the county in order to re-engage students and prepare them for the rapidly changing job market. But, like in many other regions, Butler County’s resources were scarce. Before the educators could even think about making a change, they got stuck on one question: “Can we afford this?” In their moment of doubt, they were able to turn the way they were thinking about funding inside out.
They flipped the question from, “Can we afford this?” To, “Which organization can fund this?” It was not a matter of whether or not the funds were available, but a matter of who could provide the funds. The Butler County Educational Service Center put together a grant proposal for Ohio’s Straight A Fund. Designing games for their programming coursewriting stories for a screenwriting coursebuilding digital portfolios to showcase their projects Going Free-Form. 15+ Ways of Teaching Every Student to Code (Even Without a Computer) According to Code.org, 90 percent of parents in the U.S. want their children to learn computer science—it will be crucial for many jobs in the near future—but only 40 percent of schools teach it. Critics claim that it is mainly the more affluent schools that offer computer science courses, thus denying those who attend poorer schools the chance to learn necessary skills.
A focus on STEM is not enough: Code.org also reports that while 70 percent of new STEM jobs are in computing, only 7 percent of STEM graduates are in computer science. It is imperative that savvy schools begin to focus some STEM resources on computer science and programming. In my opinion, parents of every student in every school at every level should demand that all students be taught how to code. They need this skill not because they’ll all go into it as a career—that isn’t realistic—but because it impacts every career in the 21st-century world. Teaching Coding to the Youngest Students Teaching Coding to Kids 8 and Up. 5 Myths About Teaching Kids to Code - The Tech Edvocate. Why Coding Should Be a Compulsory Subject for Students - The Tech Edvocate.
Students Should Learn to Code Because it is the Language of the Future – The Tech Edvocate. Why learning to code is so important for children – The Edvocate. Code for fun. Students Should Learn to Code Because it is the Language of the Future – The Tech Edvocate. Computer Science in 2017: Going Beyond the Hour of Code. Computer science education expands with new AP courses. Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval this week became the latest to commit to computer science education for all of his state’s students. Starting next year, every single district in Nevada will offer Computer Science Principles, an Advanced Placement course the College Board launched this fall.
The first round of the Principles course was in high demand, with more than 2,500 teachers completing the syllabus submission process to offer the course in 2016-17. According to the College Board, that’s the largest AP course launch since AP World History debuted in 2002. At Sweetwater High School in National City, CA, on the south side of San Diego, students and teachers have been piloting the AP Computer Science Principles course for five years.
Sweetwater High School teacher Arthur Lopez, who is a member of the White House Computer Science for All initiative, spends all year recruiting computer science loyalists in his district. “We want this to be normal,” Lopez said. 5 tools for "Hour of Code" week | SmartBrief. 5 tools for "Hour of Code" week President Obama’s “CS for All” initiative has brought computer-science education to the forefront of many teachers’ minds. In honor of Computer Science Education Week -- December 5-9 -- here are five platforms that offer introductory activities for students: Code.org offers several block-based games. Students can choose from Frozen, Minecraft, Angry Birds, and Star Wars. The games are appropriate for students in grades 2 and up.Bootstrap Math is a math curriculum for grades 7-8 that integrates computer science and algebra concepts.
White House Boosts CSforAll Commitments for Computer Science Education Week -- THE Journal. Computer Science White House Boosts CSforAll Commitments for Computer Science Education Week In honor of Computer Science Education Week 2016, the White House today announced hundreds of new commitments that support the implementation of computer science (CS) and computational thinking (CT) in K–12 education and build on President Obama’s Computer Science for All (CSforAll) initiative. A White House fact sheet highlights new commitments from several federal agencies: The largest comes from the National Science Foundation, which will invest $20 million in CSforAll: Researcher Practitioner Partnerships (RPP) for FY 2017, in addition to its $25 million investment in FY 2016.
The CSforAll: RPP program was created to better understand how to provide K–12 teachers with “preparation, professional development and ongoing support” that they would need to teach and integrate CS/CT into their classrooms, according to the fact sheet. About the Author. Spanish, French, Python: Some Say Computer Coding Is a Foreign Language | STEM Solutions | US News. As computer coding has become an increasingly sought-after skill, more K-12 schools are working it into their curriculums.
Some states have considered allowing students to forgo foreign language for coding classes, despite opposition from educators. There's a debate over whether it's appropriate to teach coding in elementary schools, with fierce opinions on each side. When it comes to allowing coding to fill foreign language requirements, though, most educators agree: Coding should be added to curriculums, but not at the expense of foreign language classes. The idea is that computer programming is a language, allowing people to communicate with machines and programs.
It's the language of the 21st century and more valuable than a natural language, some proponents argue. The computer science field is growing faster than schools can keep up because of budget constraints and a lack of skills training for teachers. According to the 2016 U.S. Photos: Designers Customize Couture Through Coding. Half of High School Seniors Lack Access to Computer Science. UserID: iCustID: IsLogged: false IsSiteLicense: false UserType: anonymous DisplayName: TrialsLeft: 0 Trials: Tier Preview Log: Exception pages ( /edweek/curriculum/2016/08/half_of_high_school_seniors_lack_access_computer_science.html ) = NO Internal request ( 108.162.216.112 ) = NO Open House ( 2016-08-17 12:13:15 ) = NO Personal SL : ( EMPTY ) = NO Site Licence : ( 198.27.81.83 ) = NO ACL Free A vs U ( 2100 vs 0 ) = NO Token Free (NO TOKEN FOUND) = NO Blog authoring preview = NO Search Robot ( Firefox ) = NO Purchased ( 0 ) = NO Monthly ( 43ac73a9-6818-79e3-4dc8-4c52424df78d : 1 / 1 ) = NO 0: /ew/articles/2016/08/03/mindset-a-key-factor-in-student-success.html Can add to monthly ( /edweek/curriculum/2016/08/half_of_high_school_seniors_lack_access_computer_science.html ) = NO Access denied ( -1 ) = NO Internal request ( 66.151.111.54 ) = NO Site Licence : ( 66.151.111.54 ) = NO Search Robot ( EPE Bot ) = YES.
In some schools, computer science starts in kindergarten. NSF-funded study will help district determine how best to incorporate computer science in classrooms Florida’s Broward County School District is starting young with computer science instruction, integrating it in math and science classes at the kindergarten level. More than 110 of the district’s 139 elementary schools are teaching it this year, reaching about 27,000 students. That’s a significant increase from last year, when 80 schools taught it to 3,000 students.
Administrators say it’s important to get students interested in computer science before they leave elementary school. “Research shows that if kids don’t get exposed to this before fourth grade, they’ve already made career choices, they’ve already made decisions about what they can and can’t do,” said Guy Barmoha, the district’s director of mathematics, science and gifted. The push to bring computing lessons into elementary school classrooms is part of a larger effort to get computer science in every school, for every student. The difficult realities of implementing #CSforAll. Never Too Young To Code. Microsoft, Facebook Join Coalition Pushing for Coding in Classrooms. Breaking down gender barriers to elementary coding SmartBlogs.
4 ways forward-thinking districts are inspiring more students to code. 4 ways forward-thinking districts are inspiring more students to code. Florida Senate endorses making computer coding a foreign language. Tech Tip: Coding to Play. Hack Club! -- THE Journal. Code.org CEO Hadi Partovi Podcast Interview with Kara Swisher. Middle school students get with the program - Omaha.com: Bellevue Leader.
15+ Ways of Teaching Every Student to Code (Even Without a Computer) Unity, the invisible but critical ingredient in your favorite games (Q&A) Python overtakes French as the most popular language taught in primary schools. Star Wars Partners With Code.Org for Hour of Code Tutorial. Stencyl: Make iPhone, iPad, Android & Flash Games without code.
Cities take innovative approaches to launch K-12 computer science. Bill would allow Florida students to replace foreign language with computer language courses. 28 Tools to Learn Computer Programming From edshelf. 15+ Ways of Teaching Every Student to Code (Even Without a Computer) Coding in the Classroom: A Long-Overdue Inclusion. Edutopia. Give Your Kids a Most Excellent Summer Coding Adventure | EdSurge Guides. Why teach coding in school? Arkansas Is Now the First State To Require That High Schools Teach Coding. #SXSWedu: Code like a girl. The Three Best Free Coding Websites for Kids.