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Unit 4: Developing Resources for Computer Science Awareness

From KNILT

Learning Objectives

At the end of this unit, learners will be able to:

  1. Experiment with online computer science simulations and digital literacy websites.
  2. Promote digital literacy and computer science skills in any school district with media outlets such as the school websites, using various graphics and posters.
  3. Develop a plan for all stakeholders to be active in this process, such as students, teachers, parents, and administrators.
  4. Create a list of resources that can be applied to their own school district or classroom when implementing computer science and digital literacy curriculum.

Lesson 1: Creating Visual Guides for Stakeholders

Before creating handouts for parents, counselors, administrators, or students, consider the message you are trying to send when inviting them into the world of computer science.

For Educators:

  • Cornell K-12 CS Coaching Toolkit (https://tech.cornell.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/K12-Toolki t_10-18-2022-compressed.pdf) - a card deck of computer science fundamentals
  • Resources | CS Teacher Toolkit (https://csteachertoolkit.org/resource) - a library of resources for CS teachers to check out
  • National Govenor's Association (https://www.nga.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/NGA-CS-Toolkit
  • -2022.pdf) - K-12 computer science toolkit document established across many state-level standards
  • CSTA Teacher Standards Resources (https://csteachers.org/teacherstandards/resources/) - a collection of resources developed by teachers for teachers

For Administrators:

Code.org District Program (https://code.org/administrators) - designed to seamlessly integrate CS into schools, offering extensive resources, tailored professional development, and continual support for systemic success.

⭐ Watch: See what state level administrators are saying about computer science:

https://youtu.be/B8w9FHh6nUk

For Parents:

  • EDC.org (https://www.edc.org/why-computer-science-education -toolkit-parents) - a toolkit for parents to help teach computer science
  • Code.org (https://code.org/csjourneys/engage-parents) - CS Journeys letters for sharing with parents on the essentials of computer science education
  • Changing Expectations (https://www.changeexpectations.org/cs -tools-for-parents) - tools for parents on developing your children's coding skills


Activity: Using this Canva template (https://www.canva.com/d esign/DAGY81CvMWw/QAJuMVFXrow4iY6FCVYVPQ/view?utm

_content=DAGY81CvMWw&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_m edium=link&utm_source=publishsharelink&mode=preview), create a handout for either students, parents, or other non-CS teachers that explains the core components of how CS will be taught in your school district. Share your Canva design with me via

email (epegarella@albany.edu) using the SHARE button on the top left.

Lesson 2: Using Online Resources

One of the wonderful things about exploring a new subject area such as computer science is the wide variety of access to online resources and support.

A prominent organization leading the way for computer science education is the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA). (https://csteachers.org/) In addition to this, the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) (https://iste.org/) is a nonprofit organization that helps educators use technology to revolutionize learning, with one sector of the organization focusing on computer science education.

Educators and administrators who are looking for additional online resources can access a variety of materials simply by Google searching "computer science k-12 education resources." However, the most notable and credible sources include the following:

  • Code.org[1]
  • w3schools[2]
  • ProjectSTEM[3]
  • CodeHS[4]
  • codecademy[5]

✏Final Course Reflection

⭐ Activity: Based on what you have learned about computer science in this course, answer the two

following questions questions using this Padlet (https://padlet.com/pegarellae/final-perspectives-on-implementing-the-nys-csdf-learning-sta-p6i653k1l42rln8p) board:

  1. What is something positive you will take into your approach of implementing the NYS CSDF learning standards in your district?
  1. What is a concern you still have with your approach of implementing the NYS CSDF learning standards in your district?

References

The following references are direct links to the coding websites mentioned above.

  1. Code.org (https://code.org/)
  2. w3schools (https://www.w3schools.com/)
  3. ProjectSTEM (https://projectstem.org/)
  4. CodeHW (https://codehs.com/)
  5. codecademy (https://www.codecademy.com/)
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