Brain Storming Session Department of Computer Science Tennessee Tech University July 7, 2011

Brain Storming Session Survey Are there any classroom assignment examples that you will particularly recommend for others? Are there any classroom instructional practices that you will particularly recommend for others? Are there any experiments that you tried in class but will recommend others NOT to try from what you have learned from it? If you have recruiting experience in CS classes, what has worked for you?

Classroom Assignment Examples Unity 3-D Creating a list of instructions to win at tic-tac-toe Turtles Music videos, flash game programming Enigma sim to code and decode Enigma sim Toshiba ExploraVision, Deloitte Touche Virtual Team Challenge Toshiba ExploraVisionDeloitte Touche Virtual Team Challenge Hangman, Student determined games Cell phone, Bluetooth lab (thinking games – bot puzzles) Robot fighting

Classroom Instructional Practices Tutorials/Video Tutorials Mastery learning Pair programming Cooperative learning, differentiated instruction Integrated assignments with other disciplines using Web 2.0 tools (wordle, toondoo, aniboom, scriblar) Discovery and group learning (piazza) Cumulative project Projects-based/inquiry-based learning Talk little, hands-on mostly, positive re-enforcement Acting out sorting algorithms (Algorythmics)Algorythmics Interesting blog questions related to curriculum Students teaching each other

Seemed like a good idea at that time! Hello World Teaching sorts using lists of words the students make up Make all students do exactly the same program Work outside of class does not get done Avoid competition activities with presence of parents

Recruiting Experience Inviting other classes in, visiting other classes One-on-one discussions, marketing to parents on information nights College students or experts in the field talking to advanced math students Robot Rubik’s Cube solver Creating a video production to show at the scheduling assembly Brochures, surveys, and counselor presentations of pathways Letters to students/parents, actively talk to prospects Worked with the Intro to IT classes and built a programming chapter for the teacher to use. Advise robotics team/face-to-face time with students. Twice weekly newsletter to parents and website for school.

Field trips to local CS industries *** Invite alumni to speak in CS classes (Skype) “Pitch” CS during freshman or new student orientation/scheduling time *** Speak to middle school classes about CS classes Identify students by standardized test scores and contact them for CS Set up kiosk-high traffic area showcasing projects, robotics, former students (video or slides) Initiation and Recruitment I

Share stats of CS job openings with administration Have college CS majors visit HS classroom Get local business support to initiate and support programs Student-made recruitment video of favorite things to do in class (using Tech Tools) *** Student-created “locker magnets” *** Begin class with exciting, engaging projects Program flyers on school Web site Initiation and Recruitment II

Appealing class title Virtual field trips/distance learning Students recruit students Personal invitations Elevator talk *** Sell top-down: director  supervisors  principals Student-friendly assignments *** Initiation and Recruitment III

Visit classes Signs (near women’s restrooms/lockers), posters, money *** Mass s Teachers/coaches CS projects Display works Personalized letters (top 5 students/females/minority students)*** One-hour workshops *** Diversity

Creative apps Role models visit school Diversity (continued)

Clubs *** Scripting class Posters Decorate rooms, look cool Leave advanced gear visible (library) *** Become an exciting person (hard to do) Recruitment and Advancement I

Certifications *** Dual enrollment *** Online course/lab Emerging technologies US First / Skills USA Recruitment and Advancement II