Computer Science K-5

… and the LAW … The Texas SBOE has added computational thinking to the proposed math standards TEKS. The motion was made by Dr. Soto lead by math TEKs expert reviewer Jim Rath:

(a)(1) The desire to achieve educational excellence is the driving force behind the Texas essential knowledge and skills for mathematics, guided by the college and career readiness standards. By embedding statistics, probability, and finance, while focusing on computational thinking, mathematical fluency and solid understanding, Texas will lead the way in mathematics education and prepare all Texas students for the challenges they will face in the 21st century.

(a)(2) … Students will select appropriate tools such as real objects, manipulatives, algorithms, paper and pencil, and technology, and will apply appropriate strategies such as mental math, estimation, number sense, generalization and abstraction to solve problems…Students will effectively communicate mathematical ideas, reasoning, and their implications using multiple representations such as symbols, diagrams, graphs, computer programs, and language….

Supporting documents included letters from:

1. Don Knuez, CEO of ISTE: ISTE SBOE Letter on CT
2. Chris Stevenson, Executive Director CSTA:CSTA_TEKSMathLet-1
3. CS TEKS Writing Team: SBOE_Letter_Tom-Charmaine-Karen
4. Karen North, AAUW-WHC-WSF, ISTE SIGCT: SBOE_testimony_April_2012

Supporting Resources:

1. Computational Thinking Definition Flyer
2. CSTA Computational Thinking Task Force
3. Barr Stephenson Inroads Article
4. Leading & Learning CT Article
5. My presentation at ISTE 2012: Teaching Computer Science and Computational Thinking
6. Gary Stager on Computational Thinking in Math

Why all our kids should be taught How to Code
There is a growing consensus that the way children in schools are being taught information technology is in need of a radical overhaul. … starting in primary school, children from all backgrounds and every part of the UK should have the opportunity to: learn some of the key ideas of computer science; understand computational thinking; learn to program; and have the opportunity to progress to the next level of excellence in these activities.

Texas now has computational thinking and computer programs in the Technology Application standards and the math standards.  The law is in place. The question is, what action plan do you have in place to change the way technology is used in your district, your school, your classroom, your home?

“Robotics innovation represents a tremendous
opportunity for economic growth
akin to automobiles, aerospace, and information technology.”
- Closed vs. Open Source Robotics Debate

Do you have an OPEN or CLOSED classroom?

National Robotics Education Week is April 7th – 15th.

What are you going to do in your classroom?

 

CRACKING THE CODE – TRY ENGINEERINGBinary Code 

The first sewing machines sparked a tailor revolt.
The automaton in the background was the robot featured in the movie Hugo.
- Franklin Institute Philadelphia

Programming is to STEM what Composition is to English

UK drops ICT for CS

Exploring Computational Thinking

AI Ants Challenge

Need Money$$$ for Robots?

Happy National CS Education week!

Please make your pledge at www.csedweek.org.

Computer Science – NOT computer literacy – underlies most innovation today. Yet the majority of US schools only require that students use computers. Seldom do schools prepare students to innovate and create the new technologies that drive local and national economies. This ability to innovate with technology is also important for students’ future success and ability to make a difference in a global society.                                  – from ncwit.org Talking Points

I hope you help your students aspire to study computer science.

Celebrate Computer Science Education Week by learning the basics of programming.

The University of Houston is sponsoring a workshop on Saturday. Nov. 19th. Bootstrap: Programming Video Games with Algebra is the first of many outreach programs to build computational thinking minds and future computer scientists. I hope you will join us in the collaborative program with the College of Technology, Engineering and Education sponsored by the Texas Learning and Computation Center. Please register.

Teach Your Students to Program, Mathematically
Bootstrap teaches students to program their own videogames in an algebraic programming language, exposing them to key math concepts.

In Bootstrap, Your Students will Practice and Apply
• Solving word problems
• Coordinate planes and Graphing
• Functions and Variables
• Function Composition
• Inequalities in the Plane
• The Pythagorean Theorem

About Bootstrap
Bootstrap is a free curriculum that reaches hundreds of students a year in states around the country, and has been recognized by the National Science Foundation, Google, and Microsoft. The software is free and cloud-based: if you have a modern browser, you already have everything you need!

Programming with Algebra Flyer for printing and distribution.

There are new Texas Technology Application and Computer Science Standards this course supports. – new TEKS for 2012 TCEA Blog. TEKS presentation blog at Region IV TCEA Conference.

I attended a WISH luncheon at NASA representing the Texas Girls Collaborative Project. What a beautiful connection to computer science and the future. There were girls from all over the country learning about aerospace and engineering. NASA is in the backdoor of Houston and would be a beautiful opportunity for Houston girls, especially the very under-represented minorities. It just takes someone stepping up a leading the charge with Houston ISD and other area districts. Is that person you?

One girl I talked to from New Jersey shared:

“As a sophomore I took a Computer Science AP course which I loved because it was fun to figure out how to use Java to make the computer do the things I wanted it to. The next year, as a Junior, I took a Business Strategies course which was modeled after a mock software company. I was in the R&D Department, which in previous years has just conceived of the idea for a product and done research explaining its applications. I suggested that this year we actually try to create our product (a video game). The teacher agreed, and so I and my partner were able to spend our time in Business class coding this game for two months. I loved it because it was so much more engaging for me to actually create something than pretend to create something. I hope I will be able to sneak programming into more classes in the future because it makes everything more fun.”

I love it … sneak programming into more classes. I would like to see programming be a required component in all math and science classes. How else will we be able to expose girls and other minorities to a field that has the greatest career potential for the future. And we wonder why there are so Few Girls going into CS and Engineering. They have not had the opportunity as this girl from New Jersey to take CS as a sophomore. In Texas we have new CS courses and TEKS. Programming is part of the Technology Application TEKS. But, how are we going to get this integrated into our schools? Please share your ideas. I am working on K-5 Computer Science lessons, but can’t do it alone. Besides, like these girls at WISH found it, it is the power of teamwork that produced creative, innovative and productive ideas.

Why So Few? … Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics …

“Logic will get you from A to B.  Imagination will take you everywhere.”     - Albert Einstein.

Even if you never use programming with your students, it will change the way you think; it changed my brain.  And, it will change the way you teach.

“In an era when women are increasingly prominent in medicine, law and business, why are there so few women scientists and engineers? AAUW presents compelling evidence that can help to explain this puzzle.” 

• What can we do about it in the Houston area? – One thing is to join the AAUW-WSF Houston Study Group or start your own.
• What can we do to increase the number of Hispanics, the new majority? – To start, go to your local school board meeting and give them a copy of the FREE book on Why So Few.

The Why So Few? Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math AAUW Action Research Study Group will meet for the first time in May. We will read the AAUW Book, Why So Few and discuss what is meaningful.  Then we will imagine what we can do to implement solutions in the Houston area. After that we will have fun taking action on our ideas, one baby-step at a time.  The book and other details are located at aauw.org/learn/research/whysofew.cfm. This forum is for those concerned about education, and who just want to talk and think together.   If you are interested, please contact the AAUW West Houston Harris County Branch.

 

Should programming be part of technology application standards for elementary school?

That is a question being asked of the Texas SBOE. I have testified twice to ask the SBOE to add rigor and relevance to K-5 standards and take kids beyond office software and Internet applications.

• TCEA report and link to tesitimony: tceaadvocacy.wordpress.com

Please see my ideas and add your comments:

1. November 18, 2010 Testimony – CSE Enrichment Area
2. January 20, 2011 Testimony – Programming

The Texas Technology Application and Computer Science Standards can be found on the SBOE January Agenda, Item 4 at the bottom.

ACM CSTA Curriculum Standard 6:
Represent Information Digitally – Understanding binary values

Please take the Binary Day survey and participate in the next Binary Day. What a wonderful day to see the video that was made at ISTE last year come to life. What is the next step? Build more teachers of K-5 CS. Please join in.

Are you a BINARY TEACHER? Take the last 2 digits of the year you were born plus the age you will be this year and see if it EQUALS 111.

I am having an Open House and Robotic Spelling Bee to promote the importance of computer science in elementary school. You too can sign the pledge to support Computer Science Education. My students are working on programming robots to spell words in the sentence “I want to design a present for my brain” and other projects that extend the holiday spirit.

Computer science is everywhere! A day doesn’t go by that you are not using computing technology! From texting to online research for homework, computing is a part of your everyday life. Watch how R&D data, patterns, and processes come together to improve snowboarding. Please join the launch of the second annual Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek)!

CSEdWeek 2010 is a call to action to raise awareness of computer science education and computing careers among students, educators, and the public. CSEdWeek has been endorsed by Congress as December 5-11, 2010, in recognition of Admiral Grace Murray Hopper’s birthday, December 9, 1906, and her extraordinary contributions to the field of Computer Science.

I was a member of the Texas Technology Applications Standards (TEKS) writing team for computer science. Please scroll down to see more details on my efforts to bring CS education to elementary school. And go to www.CSEdWeek.org to find out what you can do.