This chat includes a discussion of topics of interest to K-8 teachers who teach and/or integrate computer science.The Computer Science Teachers Association is a membership organization that supports and promotes the teaching of computer science and other computing disciplines. CSTA provides opportunities for K–12 teachers and students to better understand the computing disciplines and to more successfully prepare themselves to teach and learn.
#csk8 is a structured chat so questions are numbered Q1 for Question 1, Q2 for Question 2 and answers should start with A1 for the answer to Q1, A2 to answer Q2, etc.
Q1: What misunderstandings or misconceptions do students (& teachers) have about computer science, its role in their lives, its value to them, and who can be a computer scientist? #csk8
A1: Many Ss think only certain type of students can do CS - it is not for all. They do think it is valuable, and worry if they will be the lucky ones who can do it #csk8
Many teachers see CS as just "coding" due to the way things have rolled out over the last few years and no fault of their own. As far as students, multiple studies have shown that many kids still equate computer scientists with white males. #csk8
Some students (older ones especially) think that CS is for certain people, but not others. With teachers, many think of CS as a nice add-on but not something that can enhance instruction in the core subjects. #csk8
Q2: It is not uncommon to hear that elementary or middle school students are too young to learn computer science. What might we do to dispel this misconception? #csk8
Yes and since they think it is all about being good at coding, their success/failure in a coding project can make this worse! We need to start with explaining that CS is much more than coding! #csk8
Some students (older ones especially) think that CS is for certain people, but not others. With teachers, many think of CS as a nice add-on but not something that can enhance instruction in the core subjects. #csk8
The "lucky ones" part of your tweet reminds me of how many feel that society is divided between math and non-math folks. Are you saying it is the same for CS? #csk8
Yes and since they think it is all about being good at coding, their success/failure in a coding project can make this worse! We need to start with explaining that CS is much more than coding! #csk8
Interviewing Ts the last 2 days. 1 teacher candidate out of 10 knew how to answer the ? about CT/CS. Long way to go in teacher prep programs. Most said they use iPads and laptops as their answer. #csk8
A2: I'm finding that HS and MS and administration is beginning to realize that kids have already opted out of CS and that we need to get them interested and excited earlier in order to fill the cs courses they are creating.
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A1: Teachers think they can not learn CS - and they will never be really good at coding and so can not teach CS. We need to change that by giving them the same support we give our Ss and show that they can succeed #csk8
A2 I make a point of inviting teachers, other classes, and administrators to the lab to see the projects (not always CS) that Ss have created. They are always amazed at what the Ss are able to do. #csk8
A2: We have to show teachers, parents, administrators, and the community that young students can develop computer science skills. Tell the story frequently with images in many places. #CSk8
A2: Mostly it is adults who think that elem or MS students are too young for CS. The kids themselves are excited about it as long as we treat it like other subjects in the sense that we differentiate and makes sure kids have the supports they need to be successful. #csk8
Agree - showing administrators what Ss can do as well as sharing Ss projects with other teachers at PD / conferences is a good way to demonstrate that younger kids can learn CS #csk8
Yes, this is backed up by Google's research it did last year on the number of parents who wanted their kids to have CSed and the number who actually did. #csk8
Yes! and younger students have no fear - they are not afraid to try something new and when they find they can fail and try again - and make something personally relevant, it is fun! It is actually easier to teach the younger kids in some ways #csk8
A3: I was a 7th grade math teacher and saddened to see kids had already formed opinions that they were not good at math. After teaching CS - it is obvious to me that the persistence they learn from coding will help them accept and learn in math #csk8
Hi Todd! My integrating technology class at Iowa State University agrees with you. As long as teachers are engaged and motivated about what they are teaching, students will be excited about their learning and motivated too! #csk8
Q3- make sure CS projects have a lot of creative facets available, also multiple entry points and opportunities for indiv student ideas to come forward. #csk8
A3: It is interesting that we now have "math mindset" that is based on "growth mindset" that really looks a lot like what we do in CS as a part of testing and iterative refinement :) #csk8
A3: It is difficult to change that misconception by just telling them directly - but we can show by real examples. If CS is a required class - everyone has access. Often the kid not doing well in math actually finds this interesting and will work hard and be very good. #csk8
A3: I believe students have to have many opportunities to develop computational thinking not just in the math classroom and celebrate their successes to move beyond "math is hard or not for me". #csk8
Q4: As computing becomes more ubiquitous and abstracted (e.g., voice activated assistants, IOT, self-driving cars), how can we help students (and teachers) overcome the misconception that computing devices just magically do things? #csk8
Q3- make sure CS projects have a lot of creative facets available, also multiple entry points and opportunities for indiv student ideas to come forward. #csk8
A3: Unfortunately others tell Ss doing well in Math - that they will be good at CS and so that misconception is further strengthened. CS can actually help with Math - have seen so many Ss finally understand coordinates/angles/variables after coding #csk8
Hey there stranger! Thanks for joining in! You are so on target with self-selection. Creating new spaces and opportunities such as in libraries is paramount! #csk8
A4 That is still why I like to take apart nonworking computers so the students see what it takes to make it work. I also like @microbit_edu even though I only have one) to show them how a processor works. #csk8
Jumping in late here. Middle School Music teacher who has been increasingly finding ways to incorporate coding and physical computing into my curriculum #csk8
A4: For students to understand that computing devices are not "magical", we have to help them develop their questioning skills so they ask "why and how does this benefit others?" and find answers to those questions. #csk8
Q4- I find it is important to have young students take apart devices, machines, etc to become curious about how they work. This sets the stage for ongoing curiosity & interest about how things work from a CS perspective. #csk8
A1: I think a lot of kids don't realize the creative possibilities to make art and music that are offered by learning about computer science. I think some believe it is a pretty dry topic that isn't for creative types #csk8
Agreed, it's just becoming more difficult to convince people that it's not "magic" - think Alexa or self-driving cars. They sure seem like magic. #csk8
A4: We have to show Ss how they can do this magic with code. Getting a motor to turn, a LED to light up for example helps them see how these devices might work - a small step in understanding what is around them #csk8
A4: I do/used to do this as well, but computing devices have so abstracted the "computing" from the user as of late and will continue to do so. How do we help bridge between an old computer and an Alexa or a Google Home with no tangible user input or physical interface? #csk8
Hello everyone. Jumping in for the end of this chat. Was just at a meeting to promote elementary CS to our media / tech staff and recruit some leaders for our task force! #csk8
A2: I think showcasing what they produce can quickly dispel that misconception. Even the smallest programs can illustrate what students are capable of. Projects that are even slightly complex can be mind blowing for those who thought they couldn't do anything #csk8
A3: Showcase and celebrate many strengths and ways different students can contribute to the class. If we integrate CS with art and literacy, math matters less. We should work to decouple math and CS because many students already have stereotypes around who succeeds in math. #csk8
Q5: How might we dispel the misconception that a school needs to have the newest computers, expensive robots, dedicated CS teachers, etc. in order to teach computer science? #csk8
Hey, Dawn we're on Q4: As computing becomes more ubiquitous and abstracted (e.g., voice activated assistants, IOT, self-driving cars), how can we help students (and teachers) overcome the misconception that computing devices just magically do things? #csk8
A5: Showcase all the cool FREE tools you can use for CS - and it runs on inexpensive computers - Scratch, Python, Sonic Pi run on #RaspberryPi - use of a browser on ANY computer with inexpensive #microbit#csk8
As far as A4, I don't know the answer but I think about how magical web browsing was in the 90's when I grew up with a computer that didn't even have a modem... it just took time and different modes of experimentation to appreciate it for what it was. #csk8
A5: Develop a group of teachers who are interested in learning and developing CS opportunities for students across content areas who will be leaders in their schools. So many free resources both plugged and unplugged. #csk8
A5: My husband walked in the room and told me he read about a CS teacher who teaches with NO computers. They diagram everything out. It sounds awful... but if he can make CS work, we have no excuses #csk8
A3: I think by showing them an example of something they find interesting like a game and breaking it down into basic concepts like conditional statements, objects/sprites, coordinates on the screen etc These are all tangible concepts with no math required #csk8
A4 I use #RaspberryPi and physical computing lessons because Ss can see all of the parts and how they are connected, and then they can control them with @scratch#csk8
A5 Have a lot of lessons created that can be integrated into the core and elective(music) classes. Show how most can be done via the internet or open source software for computers older than windows 7. #csk8
A5: Come visit me - okay I am a dedicated teacher - but I'm in a lab w/13 year old Windows computers w/3GB memory now running Linux. There's LOTS you can still do. #csk8
A5: One elem. school in our district is piloting a schedule for school wide intervention/enrichment at the same time. This has opened opportunities to thinking people and resources. Students select three enrich opportunities during the year. #csk8
I did unplugged activities with the media/tech team today and thought it was helpful to them. Emphasize the standards / concepts and not the tools. #csk8
Q6: There can be misconceptions about CS based on the demographics of a school community. What can these be & what can we do to help students & school communities get beyond them to achieve #CSforAll? #csk8
A5 While I've cobbled togther a fair collection of CS devices over the last couple years, I started teaching CS while I was a 3rd grade classroom teacher with 6 computers in my room, 3 of which still had a 3.5inch floppy disk slot. #csk8
Q6b: What do folks think about schools that are struggling in other "core" content areas and don't think they can begin #CSed until they are doing better in more traditional subjects? #csk8 What do you say to admin?
I know this sounds weird but I've considered naming my elective classes "helping animals" instead of "computer science". So kids sign up that want to solve problems, not just the kids who love computers already #csk8
A6 At our school, I believe we already have achieved that. At least 25 percent of my students have an active IEP per class. The majority of my students are English Language Learners. #csk8
A6b: So I would caution against telling your admin that teaching CS will raise test scores. It's not a valid reason to teach CS and it might not actually be true. But... (1/2) #csk8
A6b: (2/2) I think you can make a good case that CS will help your students be creative, learn to solve problems, learn to invent, persevere through difficulty and have FUN. Learning is joyful when it's creative and also challenging #csk8
A6 Exactly what I was just typing about. Ts say they can't incorporate CS because of pressure to improve other subjects. That's why I invite admin to my lab, to show how CS (digital making, tinkering, etc.) can enhance instruction in core subs. #csk8
A4: Getting kids to think using computer logic really changes their perspective of the way things work around them. I remember when I first learned about conditional statements. So many things made more sense after that #csk8
A6: I believe many do not understand what computer science is so do not see the value. We have to explain and show them how the skills transfer to so many areas of a student's life now and in future opportunities. #csk8
#csk8 Wish I could have joined today; helping schools meet 3/22 E-Rate deadline. Great topic I am missing here. Mark Miller, ED, https://t.co/LP2bL8AMzE
A6: We have a misconception that since our Ss live in Silicon Valley and may have techie parents - they must be amazing at CS naturally or automatically :) We need to understand & support ALL Ss #csk8
A5: The creative platforms I use are all free and work on all platforms: Sonic Pi, P5.js, Scratch . The latter two are also web based and don't even require you to download anything. #csk8
Q6: I bump into CS not being or Ss with differing abilities or ELLs. We are partnering w/ SpEd dept to offer PD for SpEd Ts. Yes, CS is great to teach social skills and communication! #csk8
A7: Not a misconceptions, but through chats and other online or f2f communities support one another as we are all on this journey together to education students, teachers, and the community. #csk8
Ha! But I think the use of 'Makerspace' in the name may help some of these elective classes - kids join to make something, and will need to solve problems and perhaps even code to make some of their creations come to life. #csk8
An archive of this chat will be posted in the K-8 Computer Science Teachers g+ Community at https://t.co/F1QRV4tTXi Please continue the conversation there or on Twitter using the #csk8 hashtag
