Computational Thinking

… and the LAW … The Texas SBOE has added computational thinking to the 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. CSTA Special Report K-8 CS
  2. Don Knuez, CEO of ISTE: ISTE SBOE Letter on CT
  3. Chris Stevenson, Executive Director CSTA:CSTA_TEKSMathLet-1
  4. CS TEKS Writing Team: SBOE_Letter_Tom-Charmaine-Karen
  5. 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
  7. Manefesto for teaching CS
  8. Learnable Programming including Seymour Papert and the turtle – “Programming releases trapped intelligence.”
  9. … Get Kids to Code …”
  10. Getting students hooked on CS – Microsoft
  11. CS should be required in K-12

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?

Design Thinking + Texas Standards

One thought on “Computational Thinking

  1. Pingback: Computer Science K-5 - Advocate for Brain Building

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *