Computer Science Standards-Blog 6-April Benton
The North Carolina's adoption of the Computer Science Curriculum has been a collaborative effort with the Department of Public Instruction, The Friday Institute, and the Lt. Governor's office. In addition, after this work, representation has included parents, teachers, schools district administration, business leaders, and national experts. The goals of a computer science curriculum are for our students to create and contribute and not just be a consumer of technology and actively engage as informed citizens in our ever-changing world of technology.
Our North Carolina Computer Science Standards are centered around five core concepts which include:
- Computer Systems
- Networks and Internet
- Data and Analysis
- Algorithms and Programing
- Impacts of computing
As I look at these standards for grades 3-5, many of them can easily be implemented through the core content curriculum, and I feel that integrating into the curriculum would have the most meaningful impact on students. For example, in math, coding can be integrated by programming robots like Spheros and Dash or using Scratch or Scratch Jr. Both of these teach the students to problem solve and debug errors in algorithms. By having the younger students program a robot to move to an answer taped on the floor, it teaches them so much more beyond answering the problem through the coding of the robot. In the Healthful Living Curriculum, students could design an app that recorded calories or tracks exercise. Healthful Living courses would also be an excellent class to have students discuss and analyze the impacts of a digital footprint and their social responsibility online. In Science, students can form a hypothesis and use data to predict outcomes, which would be part of data and analysis.
The ISTE Computational Thinking Competencies for teachers includes the following:
- Computational Thinking
- Equity Leader
- Collaborating Around Computing
- Creativity and Design
- Integrating Computational Thinking
These standards, like the digital learning competencies for North Carolina, are created to guide teachers to identify their needs with computer science. ISTE realized that integrating computer science is new and a learning curve and suggests that competencies be used a road map. I feel that these competencies are appropriate in guiding educators to seek professional development in areas of needs.
My biggest fear is that teachers will not feel confident enough to integrate computer science within the core subjects. As with any new curriculum, there will need to be intentional professional development where teachers not only receive professional development but also are given time to write units of instructions and revise pacing guides to integrate Computer Science.
I feel that the standards were aligned with the purpose, rationale, and goals in computer science and technology education in NC. To better prepare our students for the current and future jobs in North Carolina, we must build a computer science foundation. By building this foundation from Kindergarten to Twelfth grade, the students' skills will progress each year. My concern is that not all districts have the money or equipment to support the standards, which would make it even harder for those teachers to integrate within their curriculum at the third -fifth grade level.
Comments
Time is always a fear when we are given new materials to use in our classrooms. I feel like there is never enough time! Another thing that could help with this, is if PLCs could write the plans. For me, I am the only teacher at my school who teaches semester long Math 2, the other teacher does year long, so often we can not truly plan together. However, that would be helpful.
Great information to know!! I feel the CS standards put in place for 21st Century teachers or anticipating that educators would further their education to maybe obtain a degree or certification in CS. In my area, there a lot of "restart" schools that operate like the Charter Schools only 50% of staff need to have a teacher's license. Well, we have a lot of individuals that worked for years in the corporate world with C S and Engineer degrees looking for a change of pace. These individuals are working in education and teaching and incorporating those CS skills into the curriculum. I feel PD's are not going to learn the veteran teachers enough about CS to teach the students what they need to know.
This statement resonated with me the most. I feel like with everything rolled out to teachers, they are not given enough time to plan and prepare, which causes them to not incorporate whatever the new roll out is or to do it incorrectly. I do know that it is hard to give teachers "time" because the time isn't there, unless done outside of school hours.
"My biggest fear is that teachers will not feel confident enough to integrate computer science within the core subjects. As with any new curriculum, there will need to be intentional professional development where teachers not only receive professional development but also are given time to write units of instructions and revise pacing guides to integrate Computer Science."