Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Sequences and Loops

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/computational-thinking-k12-educators-sequences-loops

Introduction

### Course Review: Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Sequences and Loops #### Overview "Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Sequences and Loops" is a vital course offered on Coursera, designed for educators looking to integrate computational thinking into their teaching practices. With a hands-on approach, this course helps participants demystify programming and introduces the foundational concepts necessary for teaching coding to K-12 students. Each lesson seamlessly connects real-world experiences to programming tasks, making the material accessible even for those without a programming background. #### Course Content The course is structured into five main modules, each focusing on different essential aspects of computational thinking: 1. **Course Orientation**: This module serves as an introduction, featuring Dr. Simon and giving participants an overview of the course layout and expectations. It's a great way to meet fellow learners and set the tone for collaborative learning. 2. **Computational Thinking and Sequences**: Here, educators are encouraged to reflect on how computational thinking permeates our daily lives. The module dives into the concept of sequences, prompting educators to create block-based programs in Snap, further solidifying their understanding of instruction ordering and its implications for teaching. 3. **More Sequences**: This module advances the learning with programming puzzles that enhance familiarity with coding concepts. Participants will create Snap programs, analyze potential student challenges, and explore existing curricula on platforms like code.org to design assessment questions. 4. **Repeats**: In this engaging module, participants are asked to innovate more efficient ways to give instructions, essentially programming for a robotic friend. The emphasis is on solving puzzles with repeats and reflecting on common student difficulties, reinforcing programming concepts through practice. 5. **More Repeats**: Building on the previous module, this section explores more challenging programming scenarios using repeats, analyzing feedback and hints available in code.org activities. A significant part of this module is dedicated to understanding the differences between different programming environments, enriching educators’ toolkits. 6. **Equity & Pedagogy**: The course concludes with a critical examination of who is learning computer science and how it is being taught. Participants review current computer science standards and evaluate pedagogical techniques, such as pair programming, highlighting how these methods can be leveraged to foster an inclusive learning environment. #### Recommendations This course is highly recommended for K-12 educators who wish to enhance their teaching toolkit with computational thinking principles. The following reasons underscore its value: - **Relevance to Educators**: It is tailored specifically for educators, providing practical insights and activities they can directly implement in their classrooms. - **Hands-On Learning**: The course emphasizes experiential learning through engaging hands-on activities, making complex concepts more digestible. - **Foundational Skills**: It equips educators with the foundational knowledge of programming, making them more confident in teaching coding skills to students. - **Focus on Equity**: The final module's focus on equity and pedagogy is particularly crucial in today's diverse educational landscape, emphasizing the importance of inclusive teaching practices. #### Conclusion In conclusion, "Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Sequences and Loops" is an enriching course that not only prepares educators to teach programming but also enhances their understanding of how computational thinking intersects with everyday life. By enrolling in this course, educators will not only gain valuable skills but also foster a culture of computing in their classrooms, empowering students for future success in a digital world. Whether you are a seasoned educator or new to the teaching realm, this course is a stepping stone towards successfully integrating computational thinking and programming into your curriculum. Make sure to enroll and unlock the potential of computational thinking in your teaching practice!

Syllabus

Course Orientation

Meet Dr. Simon and fellow learners in this class! Find out what you’ll be doing and learning.

Is computational thinking everywhere? Reflect on computational thinking in your life and brainstorm instructions for real world tasks. Discuss the process by which we become better computing teachers and create a block-based program in Snap by reordering a set of provided instructions.

Get ready to do some programming puzzles! Create a Snap program and reflect on what aspects of the program students might struggle with. Work on challenge questions and reflect on how to discuss sequences in a classroom setting. Take a break from Snap and explore the code.org curriculums to create an assessment question!

Invent a faster way to write instructions for your robotic friend! Get started solving programming puzzles that use repeats and reflect on what areas students might struggle with. Reinforce your knowledge as you complete a set of programs on google slides -- this time without using Snap to check your work!

More programming with repeats - except with a bit of a challenge! Explore the free curriculum on code.org’s platform analyzing the feedback and hints they provide for their activities. Work closely in their artist environment and examine the difference between code.org block-based programming and your work in Snap.

Who is learning CS? How is CS being taught? Learn about the state of CS standards and teacher credentialing. Evaluate pedagogy techniques such as pair and buddy programing -- how effective are they in teaching CS?