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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