Methods | CP1.1

CP1.1 - AEA Module #1: Understanding CS

Time Expectation

Module 1 : ~ 45-90 minutes

Summary

In this activity you will complete the first of three modules prepared by the state of Iowa Board of Education to help teachers in the state better understand CS and how to apply the CS Framework and Standards when designing CS lessons for students. [My big thank you to the state of Iowa for making these available for us to use in our program].

Creating an Account

First, you will need an account on Some of you may already have accounts through previous PD. Others of you may have to create a new account.

Please go to

https://training.aealearningonline.org

And follow all instructions to either login to your existing account or create a new one.

Module #1

For today's activity please complete the following module:

Module #1 - Understanding the What and Why of Computer Science

"Deliverable"

While completing the Module you should take notes about what you experience. Furthermore, you should complete the Reflection Journal Activities as they are presented in the materials.

Furthermore, please consider the following questions.

What did you write for each of the the Reflection Journal Activities?
What was the main point point of this training module?
How did this material fit in with the material you have learned in your CSEd program so far?
Identify and discuss at least one item/topic in the training that you felt added to what you had previously learned. How did it improve your knowledge/learning?
Identify and discuss at least one item/topic in the training that was a completely new idea or thought for you. How did it improve your knowledge/learning?

Evaluation

This activity uses my "Checkpoint Evaluation" process.

That is, it is graded as 1 or 0 based on the evaluation of whether I feel you have put significant thought and reflection into the responses.

To submit your work you should word process your entire reflection and save/print as a PDF.

You should then look on Blackboard for the submission link for this activity.

In previous versions of the course I collected this and assigned a score of 1 or 0 - much like I did for the reflections during TLP. I did it that way because I know from experience that if I don't assign a grade to this activity (even a trivial and completely meaningless 1/0) that many of you will completely skip it.

Having said that, several of you commented during TLP that you felt like I was asking you to double your work by writing about activities in your journal and then also writing about it during the competency demo. I can sympathize with that situation. So, despite my concerns, I have decided to be reactive and listen to your comments and assign these activities without collecting anything formal. I strongly encourage you to complete this activity as written. But I also respect you as a learner to use this activity the way that it best fits your needs (which hopefully isn't to skip it completely).

Please know that I still expect you will complete this activity and that you will include ideas from this activity in your end of the week competency demo.