Computational Thinking & Block Programming in K-12 Education 專項課程
Teach Computational Thinking. Be prepared to teach block-based programming in K-12 settings
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Computational Thinking & Block Programming in K-12 Education 專項課程
University of California San Diego
About this 專項課程
In the 21st century, computational thinking is a skill critical for all the world's citizens. Computing and technology is impacting all our lives and everyone needs to know how to formulate problems and express their solutions such that a computer can carry it out.
In this Specialization you will both learn several block-based languages, but using novel approaches designed to make learning programming easier.
Covers most CSTA Algorithms & Programming Standards for Algorithms, Variables, Control, and Modularity: Levels 1-3A.
How do we give instructions to a computer? Isn't programming hard? Not really! Whether it's giving someone directions to a nearby store or writing out some dance moves we frequently exhibit aspects of computational thinking in our everyday lives!
This class teaches the first key concepts of programming -- sequences of instructions and basic counted repetition of instructions. For each concept, we'll start by helping you connect real-world experiences you are already familiar with to the programming concept you are about to learn. Next, through a cognitively scaffolded process we'll engage you in developing your fluency with problem solving with sequences and repeated instructions in a way that keeps frustration at a minimum.
Along the way you will learn about the common challenges or "bugs" students have with these concepts as well as ways to help them find and fix those concepts. You'll also be guided in running classroom discussions to help students develop deeper understanding of these concepts.
Finally, you'll learn about a recommended pedagogical practice, Pair Programming, and find out why research recommends teaching block-based programming first....
How can students learn about abstraction by creating a movie scene? Or make an interactive map using lists? You'll learn (and do it yourself) in this course!
This class teaches the concepts of abstraction (methods and parameters) and lists. For each concept, we'll start by helping you connect real-world experiences you are already familiar with to the programming concept you are about to learn. Next, through a cognitively scaffolded process we'll engage you in developing your fluency with problem solving with abstraction and lists in a way that keeps frustration at a minimum.
Along the way you will learn about the common challenges or "bugs" students have with these concepts as well as ways to help them find and fix those concepts. You'll also be guided in running classroom discussions to help students develop deeper understanding of these concepts.
Finally, you'll learn about the importance and logistics of assigning creative, student-designed programming projects.
Additionally, you will create a personal plan for increasing your skills in supporting a culturally responsive learning environment in your classroom....
Want to make a game that ends when you "catch" an object by clicking on it? Or maybe you get points based on how close you came? You'll do that in this class!
This class teaches the concepts of conditional loops and if/else statements. For each concept, we'll start by helping you connect real-world experiences you are already familiar with to the programming concept you are about to learn. Next, through a cognitively scaffolded process we'll engage you in developing your fluency with problem solving with repeat until loops, while loops, and if/else statements in a way that keeps frustration at a minimum.
Along the way you will learn about the common challenges or "bugs" students have with these concepts as well as ways to help them find and fix those concepts. You'll also be guided in running classroom discussions to help students develop deeper understanding of these concepts.
Finally, you'll learn how to support interactive learning experiences among your students with Peer Instruction.
Additionally, you will create a resource for your classroom to support an equitable classroom....
How could you program a complex "choose your own adventure" game? How can your soccer game determine goals, balls out of bounds, and corner kicks? You'll learn to do both of these in this course!
This class teaches the concepts of nested if/else statements and compound Boolean conditional expressions. For each concept, we'll start by helping you connect real-world experiences you are already familiar with to the programming concept you are about to learn. Next, through a cognitively scaffolded process we'll engage you in developing your fluency with problem solving with nested if/else statements and compound conditionals in a way that keeps frustration at a minimum.
Along the way you will learn about the common challenges or "bugs" students have with these concepts as well as ways to help them find and fix those concepts. You'll also be guided in running classroom discussions to help students develop deeper understanding of these concepts.
Finally, you'll prepare classroom resources to help your students to develop debugging skills. Additionally, you will create resources to help educate your students about the impacts of lack of equity in K-12 CS instruction....
UC San Diego is an academic powerhouse and economic engine, recognized as one of the top 10 public universities by U.S. News and World Report. Innovation is central to who we are and what we do. Here, students learn that knowledge isn't just acquired in the classroom—life is their laboratory....
There are six courses in this Specialization, each covering 2-3 programming concepts, an equity and a pedagogy module. Each course is built around five weekly modules, which can each be completed in approximately two-four hours. However, completion time is very dependent on each learner and the time you’re able to dedicate to the Specialization each week. There are deadlines to help you complete in a timely manner (targeting completion in 30 weeks), but you can move faster (by taking courses concurrently) or slower as suits your needs.
What background knowledge is necessary?
There is no background knowledge, neither in education nor in Computer Science, required to take this Specialization - just an interest in learning core programming concepts and how to best teach those concepts to others.
Basic proficiency in the use of Googledocs will be needed to complete assignments within the course. Google help documentation will be provided, and with some extra attention, first time use of Googledocs should not be a barrier to successful completion of the course.
Do I need to take the courses in a specific order?
Each course in the Specialization introduces specific programming concepts which do build upon each other. If you have no prior programming experience it is suggested you take the courses in the indicated order. However, those with prior programming experience should not be overly challenged in doing courses in any order. At minimum, we recommend ending with the Capstone Project course.
What will I be able to do upon completing the Specialization?
After completing this Specialization you will be able to:
Design programs to solve problems in a block-based language using basic storage (i.e. variables and arrays) and common flow of control (sequencing, selection, repetition).
Utilize techniques in the teaching of programming to increase student success (e.g, Parsons’ problems for reducing cognitive load, Peer Instruction for development of analysis and communication skills, Pair Programming for collaboration and debugging skills).
Implement personalized plans for supporting equity in access and teaching in classroom of students with diverse backgrounds.
Complete the AP CS Principles Create Task and apply the Create task rubric to sample student work.
Who should take this Specialization?
This Specialization has been developed primarily to support K-12 teachers in teaching core programming concepts -- specifically as applied to block-based languages. However, this course is valuable to anyone interested in learning the basics of programming with a view of helping others to learn to program which includes, among others, members of the tech community involved in K-12 outreach, parents, and other informal educators.
