Hi Brenda,

Thanks for sharing your insight. I think your idea about creating a website targeting teens may work really well-- especially if we could offer resources for guidance counselors. The idea of a competition is also neat. Today, there's one in Pittsburgh, I believe. Check out the WAICY website for more info.

It was really interesting for me to learn what's going on in TX. At ISTE this year, I had the chance to meet with affiliates from across the country, and I learned that many states are struggling to implement CS. CT recently adopted CSTA standards and a CS requirement. I've been working with our state's Computer Science Council to develop a plan to implement CS instruction-- from teacher preparation/certification to curriculum. It's a lot of work with a lot of moving parts. Just like Texas, we have amazing K12 educators, and we have amazing districts. Yet each district is approaching the new requirements differently. Some offer CS as electives at the high-school level, others integrate it into core subjects from preK-12. There are many approaches, and a one-size-fits all doesn't work. I often look to Rhode Island, which  has done a tremendous job of integrating CS into K12, for inspiration. Right now, there are a few universities offering a CS certification program in CT, and the state is working to create pathways for educators like me, who have a Master's in Literature but are teaching CS. I'm on the board of CECA, our state's ISTE affiliate, and we are always striving to help educators feel more comfortable teaching CS.

I don't know how many of us are familiar with the design-thinking process, but I've recently used it to apply for Google's EI program. I'd like to make it easier for teachers to understand AI so that they feel comfortable enough to teach it. ISTE's AI course is a great resource. Yet even after taking it, trying to interpret the college-level AI courses on YouTube, and reading so many articles/studies, I still feel I need to learn more to truly teach it to my middle-school students. I'm trying my very best, though, and know that while I have some introduction lesson plans crafted, it will take me a while to feel truly comfortable with this subject. But here's the thing-- admitting that I don't know the answer to a question and working with the student to find a answer is pretty cool. Not only does it make me more human, it empowers my students. At middle school, I can be goofy, make mistakes, and admit that I don't know and kids will respond to that.

I want to work on a solution that meets K12 teachers at their level. I have so many ideas, but have been afraid to put them into action because I don't have the background knowledge. But the application process to the EI program taught me that I still can contribute in some meaningful way.

Anyway- I've veered from the topic. Thanks for sharing, and I look forward to learning from and connecting with everyone in the future.

Best,
Rachel Smith





On Sat, Jul 27, 2019 at 12:14 PM Brenda Flinn <twiceamused@gmail.com> wrote:
Hello all,

I work in support services at a high school and I get to somewhat observe daily activity. I would like to pass on some simple observations as you consider things.

First, Texas tried to add computer science to the curriculum, but recently dropped it. It was a difficult fit which I will offer two reasons in my opinion:

(1) how to use a TI calculator instructions are in the math books, computing instructions are absent, and

(2) few teachers are prepared to teach computer science.

Now, like it or not, Texas heavily influences textbook content for all states. Changing the content is a 20 year political endeavor even digitally. And on top of that, state boards of education must approve books used in the classroom. For example, English teachers can only teach literature from a choice of books on an approved list.

So, I would offer that you make a better way for certifying educators to teach computer science. Computer science college graduates are locked out of teaching in public schools because they lack the teacher education requirement hours mandated by states. Encourage universities to offer computer science and educator courses in one degree much like that of music educators.

Incentivize AI challenges attached to high school mathematics classes as an extension of basic, current lesson plans. School participation in interscholastic competitions is active and a source of pride (like debate or social studies). You have to work with those judging graded interscholastic competitions to get one going in AI that matches what is on the plate in the classroom.

Finally, an easy to navigate, responsive website is needed with the excitement of AI news, clear pathways on how to become an educator of computer science in each state ... all geared toward an age 13 to 18 audience plus their teachers and parents.

Okay, I hope you can use these observations as you grow. I can offer you latex development for printing, website creation and maintenance, and content writing.

Please let me know if I can be of assistance.

Sincerely,
Brenda Flinn

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