Module 1
Computer Science As a K-12 Discipline

Outcomes

• Describe the general discipline of computer science.
• Identify and describe computer science related (computational thinking) activities that students in different grade bands [grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12] ought to be able to "do".
• Provide a rationale for teaching ideas related to computer science in grades K-5.
• Provide a rationale for teaching ideas related to computer science in grades 6-12.

Readings/Activities

This module consists of a variety of online training modules, readings, and reflections. Please complete these in the following order:

Monday

• Training Module: AEA Online Training Module #1
• Written Reflection: Checkpoint Activity (CP1.1) [Not collected. See write-up for explanation why.]

Tuesday

• Training Module: AEA Online Training Module #2
• Written Reflection: Checkpoint Activity (CP1.2) [Not collected. See write-up for explanation why.]
  
• Additional Readings:
  • Become familiar with the CS Framework Documents
  • Make sure to read:
    • the K12 Computer Science vision
    • Chapters 1 and 4 of the the K12 CS Framework

Wednesday

• Training Module: AEA Online Training Module #3
• Written Reflection: Checkpoint Activity (CP1.3) [Not collected. See write-up for explanation why.]
  
• Additional Readings:
  • Become familiar with CSTA and the CSTA Standards Documents
  • https://www.csteachers.org/
  • Make sure to read:
    • The materials on the K12 CS Standards (which is what Iowa has adopted)  https://www.csteachers.org/Page/standards
    • Pay particular attention, and take time to interact with, the Standards tool lower on the page 

Thursday

• Readings:
  • Become familiar with the Iowa K12 CS website
  • https://educateiowa.gov/pk-12/instruction/computer-science
    
• Readings:
  • Download a copy of the CSTA/Iowa Standards for K12 CS Education for your own use
  • https://educateiowa.gov/sites/files/ed/documents/IowaComputerScienceStandards.pdf
     
• Written Activity: Complete the CS Standards Activity (CP1.4) [COLLECTED]

Friday

• Competency Demo #1

Additional/Optional Readings

I do not think that reading these activities will assist you with the outcomes of this module. However, I think that there is some good information in here about how we view computer science at the college level. Depending on your wants/needs as an educator you may find this helpful as you consider working with students who might go on to become computer science majors in college.

1. Readings: Become familiar with the ACM’s Curriculum Recommendations
• https://www.acm.org/education/curricula-recommendations 
2. Readings: Read Chapter Two of the Overview Report of ACM’s Computing Curricula 2020 [Focuses on CS at the college level]
• https://www.acm.org/binaries/content/assets/education/curricula-recommendations/cc2020.pdf