K-12 Computing Education Seminar
Facilitator: Hélène Martin
Meetings: Tuesdays 3:00 - 4:25pm in CSE403
Syllabus | Volunteer Norms | Project Ideas
Children love computers and now use them in all aspects of their lives. At the same time, the shortage of skilled computer scientists is dire enough for DARPA to fund outreach initiatives. In this seminar, we explore challenges and opportunities related to computing education for pre-collegial students. Our primary goal is to become more effective advocates and supporters of computing education in K-12. We discuss relevant education policy, teaching strategies and existing endeavors while spending time working with K-12 students in the Seattle area.
| Date | Topics | Assignments |
|---|---|---|
| April 8th |
Who are we? What were our K-12 experiences like? How has computing education been discussed in the media lately? |
Computer Science: Not Just an Elective Anymore Why It's Time to Stop Worshipping Coders |
| April 15th |
How do kids become interested in CS? Who are the stakeholders in K-12 computing education? What role can/should media play in promoting computing education? What is code.org and what are its goals? |
Explore code.org: watch original video and explore Hour of Code activities Hour of Code article |
| April 22nd |
What are advantages/disadvantages of using physical computing platforms in education? How do we measure the success of a curriculum? What are some pedagogical approaches commonly used in K-12 computing education? |
Challenge and Creativity: Using .NET Gadgeteer In Schools |
| April 29th |
What is Scratch? What is the role of collaboration in K-12 computing education? What role should research play in determining how computing is taught in K-12? |
Briefly explore Scratch Is pair programming more effective than other forms of collaboration for young students? |
| May 6th |
What are advantages/disadvantages of using activities away from computers in teaching computing ideas? Is connecting computing to math advantageous in teaching kids? |
Teaching Graph Algorithms To Children Of All Ages |
| May 13th |
What roles can video games play in computing outreach? What kinds of community partners are valuable to CS outreach programs? |
Outreach for Improved Student Performance: a game
design and development curriculum |
| May 20th |
Why is diversity desirable in computing? Why are women underrepresented in computing? What strategies are effective in broadening participation in computing? |
Girls on the Go: A CS Summer Camp to Attract and Inspire Female High School Students |
| May 27th | No reading: work on projects! | |
| June 3rd | No reading: work on projects and presentations! | |
(baby computer picture from here)