Computer Science Education

Jessica Gorman and Crystal NoelComputer Systems 2008-09

Introduction

• Every day, technology becomes more advanced and accessibleoLittle progress made at elementary school

level• Goal: to implement computer

programming to educate elementary and/or middle school students in math and science

What is the Scratch Program?

• Cardinal Forest Elementary School

• 25 min weekly classes• Origins of the

Programo Gateso Allard

Program Content

• Curriculum developing processo SOLso Introduction to Computer

Science

• Student Projectso Lesson planso Rubricso Introduction to new skills

• Blackboard

Blackboard

 

What is Scratch?

• Scratcho MIT Media Lab

• Why Scratch?o Kid-friendlyo Drag and drop texto Multimediao Visually focused

Developing a Curriculum

• Topicso Integration of SOL topics

Coordinate System Random

• Problem Solvingo Step-by-step processo Independent Projects

• Computer Science Skillso Loopso Methods (Scripts)

Time Line

• October- November: basic Scratch skills• December- February: teacher designed

projects• March- May: game design and individual

projects

Shapes Project

Winter Wonderland Project

Fish Game Project

Research Topics

• Benefits of Computer Education• Designing Computer Programs in

Elementary School• Computer Science for Young Minds

Benefits of a Computer Science Education

• BenefitsoProblem SolvingoTeamworkoDependability

• ProcedureoObservationsoSurveysoAssessments

Observations

• Student A:oOne of brightest studentso Issues in the classroom, but not ScratchoOpportunity to learn skills

• Student B:oVery intelligent, yet quietoKept to himselfoCame out of shell to help others

Surveys and Assessments

• Assessments record knowledge retainedo coordinate planeo randomo broadcasting

• Surveys measureo interest in computer scienceo social skills

Designing Computer Programs in Elementary School

• Value in program designoProblem solving skillsoTroubleshootingo IndependenceoCreativity

Project Design

• ‘Make your own rubric’ activities• Individual projectsoPac ManoSuper MariooDodgeballoAnimated Story

Story Rubric

Observations

• Lack of structure negatively influenced behavioroDon’t see benefits of planningoReluctant to think for themselvesoOnly productive when heavily directed

• Learning to brainstorm• New creativity outlet

Computer Science for Young Minds

• Elements of an effective classo Well-defined, but lax

• Teaching computer programmingo Immersion

• Unorthodox teaching methodso Video conferencing

Development and Procedures

• Curriculum-expanding on predecessor’s ideas o Improvements required

• Videos with Scratcho Part of auxillary researcho Created and used as

teaching aids

Development and Procedures

• Considered teleconferencing o Initially abandoned,

then reconsidered and implemented

Problems

• Incompatibilityo Latest Scratch for Linux: 1.2

Required: 1.3o Few formal sources for Scratch

• TransportationoNo car

• TimingoDifferent period

Results

• Students continue to learno Different paces

observed• Project successful

o Difficulties reasonably overcome

Conclusion

• Computer as mediumo Teaching

• Studentso The sooner, the better

• How young is too young?oMaybe never

Future of Scratch

• Connections to other schoolsoVideoconferencingoModel program