Teaching K-12 Computational Thinking

EDUC 664 Teaching K-12 Computational Thinking

Online Course 3 semester hours graduate credit
Instructor: Shelley Lee
Summer: June 12 - August 4, 2017

Tuition, Due Dates, and Registration

You Will Learn How to

• Support computer coding instruction and student learning
• Design instructional activities for promoting computational thinking as a method for solving real-world problems
• Guide students in developing an interest in computer science during elementary and middle school
• Evaluate computer coding curriculum materials

Who should enroll?

• Elementary, middle school, and high school educators
• School library media specialists
• STEM educators
• Tech integration teachers
   
• Educational technology teachers
Those working with incarcerated youth outside of traditional K-12 education

Course Description

Research, issues, and problems related to teaching K-12 computational thinking, including problem-based learning, computer coding, and applications in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)-related fields.

This course is an approved elective in the Master of Science in Education online degree program.

You may enroll in this course to meet your goals for professional development, license renewal, or to complete graduate credits and transfer to another university.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Interpret, convey, and promote the theoretical and evidence-based foundations of computational thinking processes and computer coding instruction.
2. Describe the computational thinking process used to solve complex STEM-related problems and generalize the patterns and rules associated with solving the problems.
3. Evaluate commercially-developed computational thinking computer coding curriculum materials including a variety of print, digital, and online computer coding instructional resources to meet specific needs and abilities of all diverse learners.
4. Implement evidence-based instructional approaches (i.e. lesson plans) including local school-community partnerships and opportunities to facilitate the acquisition of standards-led computer coding skills for all students, including those from culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse backgrounds.
5. Recommend a variety of formative, diagnostic, and summative assessment tools and practices to plan and evaluate computer coding programs and instruction.
6. Evaluate digital tools (computers and communications devices) as solutions to tomorrow's societal problems.
7. Design or redesign units of instruction including computational thinking and computer coding activities to use in a STEM-related classroom, makerspace, or other informal STEM activity.
8. Examine current career pathways and future job opportunities utilizing computational thinking and computer coding to solve complex societal problems.
9. Assess the impact of learning theories that are influential in computational thinking, computer coding education, curriculum materials and strategies for teaching computer coding.

Alignment with Teaching Standards

Course objectives are aligned with the following:

Wisconsin Teaching Standards (WI DPI) 1,4,7, 10
National Board for Professional Teaching Standards: 1,3,4
Computer Science Teachers Association Standards: (CT, CPP, CD)
International Society for Technology in Education, National Educational Technology Standards for Teachers, (NETS-T)

No travel to campus is required.

Participate from your home or work computer during hours that are flexible and convenient for your work and family schedule and responsibilities.

The class is highly interactive with a significant discussion component. This is not a self-paced class.

All discussion postings, projects and assignments will be submitted via the course discussion board and dropbox. 

Activities are conducted according to a schedule with specific due dates each week; there are no required "live" chat sessions.

For More Information

Request Information Online
Contact Us: School of Education
Online Professional Development
University of Wisconsin - Stout
Menomonie, WI 54751
Phone: 715-232-2693
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