Coding Connections at the Interface of Algebra I and Physical World Concepts Improving Teacher Quality Grant Program Summer 2016

Growing Need Prepare students for a work force with skills in STEM By 2018 expected shortage of 230,000 STEM workers with more than 70% of those in computer science When computer science courses are offered at the high school level females and minority students are underrepresented.

Coding Connections strives to authentically integrate CS into math and science content courses as an alternative to standalone CS courses.

K-12 Computer Science Standards Strands 1. Computational Thinking 2. Collaboration 3. Computing Practice and Programming 4. Computer and Communications Devices 5. Community, Global, and Ethical Impacts

CSTA Standards Grades 6-9 Computer Science and the Community Computational thinking as a problem-solving tool for issues relevant to them and the world around them. Grades 9-12 Applying Concepts and Creating Real- World Situations Real-world problems; application of CT to develop problem solutions; interconnectednes s to other academic subjects.

Computational Thinking Operational Definition Formulating problems in a way that enables us to use a computer and other tools to help solve them Logically organizing and analyzing data Representing data through abstractions such as models and simulations Automating solutions through algorithmic thinking (a series of ordered steps) Identifying, analyzing, and implementing possible solutions with the goal of achieving the most efficient and effective combination of steps and resources Generalizing and transferring this problem-solving process to a wide variety of problems

Dispositional Skills and Attitudes of CT Confidence in dealing with complexity Persistence in working with difficult problems Tolerance for ambiguity The ability to deal with open-ended problems The ability to communicate and work with others to achieve a common goal or solution

Shifts with Common Core Standards College and Career Readiness Greater focus on fewer topics Coherent progressions from grade to grade Rigor with a pursuit toward conceptual understanding Procedural skills and fluency Application of math to real-life scenarios

K-12 Framework for Science Education …designed to help realize a vision for education in the sciences and engineering in which students, over multiple years of school, actively engage in science and engineering practices and apply crosscutting concepts to deepen their understanding of the core ideas in these fields. P. 9

BIG IDEAS of Coding Connections… Integrating algorithmic and CT can be a meaningful way to emphasize the four C’s needed to meet 21 st Century challenges. Critical thinking and problem solving; Communication; Collaboration; and Creativity and innovation Mathematical content and practices from & Science & Engineering practices can be aligned with CS and computational thinking practices.

International Society for Technology in Education ISTE challenges teachers to design digital age learning experiences and assessments, model digital age work and learning, & promote and model digital citizenship and responsibility Calls for adaptations in design of PD for teachers who did not have exposure to digital tools in their teacher preparation programs.

The TPACK framework supports the challenge of integrating technology and CS effectively into math & science instruction. Builds on the work of Shulman (1986) based upon the need for teachers to build subject- specific pedagogical content knowledge - PCK “integration efforts should be creatively designed and structured for particular subject matter ideas in specific classroom contexts” Koehler, Mishra, and Cain (2013) The current challenge to prepare our students for STEM careers calls for learning and teaching to be situated within a technology framework. TPACK

SAMR Model Framework used to assess and evaluate digital technology use in the classroom; includes four levels and two sections as a means to promote teacher reflection and technology integration Dr. Ruben Puentedura (2014)

SAMR Model

Participant Benefits Instruction aligned with CC math & physical science content used in robotics or coding sessions Engage in activities that model the use of hands-on manipulatives and math practices Receive $75 daily stipend Lego Mindstorms EV3 Core and Extension set Publications geared for teachers -math & science pedagogy & robotics

Participant Responsibilities Develop or adapt lesson plans to use in classroom – post artifacts/results to wikispace Participate in online Professional Learning Community on our grant wikispace Propose a PD workshop – TMTA (Sept.) or TSTA (Dec.) Post-Observation preferably of lesson related to summer activities – Fall 2016 Share standardized test measures; 2016 & 2017 test scores Share final TEAM/TAP evaluation scores from & school year