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.
Mark Miller, ED of https://t.co/LP2bL8AMzE here. Trying to ensure not just access to CS educational opportunities, but also inspiration and encouragement -- for all young people! #csk8
Hi all! Im Matt, a software dev and volunteer teacher for 9-12 CS. Looking to see how we can grow the program into the K-8 range, so along to listen tonight! #csk8
A1: It is important to teach all about the impact of computing because it is changing and has changed the world. Starting early places ethics at the start of CS education rather than as an afterthought #csk8
A1: Even young people need to understand the effects technology, including CS, have on their lives. It has impacted history before, is now, and will continue to do so. #csk8
A1 #csk8 To help them understand that change is the only constant in their future, that 50% of current jobs will vanish in <25 years, that their career will be doing things we don't yet know need doing
I think one big effect of computing is that it has made the world smaller. People have so much information now. This is especially true with the great proliferation of cell phones. #csk8
A1: There are several reasons to start coding early in Elem. but here are a couple: if we encourage them early and make it hands on and fun, they will begin to believe, and if we give kids 12 years to learn reading and writing, why not coding, less intimidated when young #csk8
Finally joining in for a #csk8 chat! Can only stay for about 20 minutes though. A1 I definitely think that because computing is a part of this age groups' world, they need to know about it.
A1: I think students need to learn how their own lives are impacted by technology so they understand that they develop an interest in influncing technology. #csk8
A1: They more they learn, the more theyll start to see that its everywhere around them which allows them to make more sense of what they experience on a daily basis. This can empower them to participate instead of consume #csk8
A1 Also, I love the problem solving piece of computing skills. Even if they never actually use computing skills in their future, they can use those problem solving skills forever, not matter what they do. #csk8
I think there are a couple of areas to talk about with Ss. First is security, and privacy issues. Ss need to know that if they post something, it’s there to stay. They also have to be taught to be prudent about what they share in order to stay safe. #csk8
CS ed as whole seems completely devoid of any discussion and exploitation of ethics (slowly changing in K12) unlike other professional educations so it is not surprising, just disappointing and damaging #csk8
Ss also need to know that the largest area of growth in employment is in jobs that are deeply involved with computing. It’s really important for Ss to be fluent in all aspects of computing. #csk8
Do you really feel like ethics is front and center in other disciplines, especially in school settings. I've taught for almost 20 years and never seen teachers have discussions about ethics in teaching any subject other than CS. #csk8
A2 I have to admit that I don't talk a lot about this with the kids, but looking at these standards makes me realize that I should. Although I think it would be really hard for kids these days to imagine life w/out tech. #csk8
A2 Talk about business again. I have them create a webpage that is about their interests and have them create a basic app again of their choosing so there is buy in. #csk8
A3: While computing and the internet has lead to more voices and a bit more diversity, it is still controlled by a small homogenous group of well connected individuals so computing can exacerbate the inequities of our society #CSk8
A2: We can share examples of how various media personalities use tech to communicate with their audiences. They relate to musicions and athletes. #csk8
A2 #csk8 I think an example kids at grades 6+ can relate to is seeing how many days they can go without touching a smartphone, plus showing older movies with phone booths!
A2: One great example is China. There culture has completely evolved as a result of access to computers and smart phones. They are now one of the most consumer driven economies in the world. #csk8
Im thinking of professional education, like law, engineering, medicine education etc. which all include ethical. Yes, K12 computing ed is trying to change that. We are! #csk8
I Agree. I don't feel like ethics is a concept that ever comes up in the classroom although with all the focus on college and career readiness it seems like it should #csk8
Definately! Coding connects to everything. What better way to help librarians see what their role can be in inspiring students and helping them make real-world, meaningful connections. #csk8
That's what I thought. Apples to oranges. We aren't close to there yet, but #CSed is farther along than most other k-12 subjects in talking impacts and ethics. #csk8
A2: Trying to address some of these w/ middle school media literacy curriculum around media/tech use in daily life, based off of @CommonSenseEd, but we need to go into more depth #csk8
A2 One thing I do try to do is show the Ss as many positives as I can about technology use. Too many times it's the negatives that are shared more often. #csk8
How much do students know about students in difference circumstances than their own? Can we connect students beyond the classroom using tools like Skype and Google Hangouts? #CSk8
I don’t know if it was “front and center” when I was teaching middle school, but the required literature included books like Ishi, Last of His Tribe. There were many discussions around the impact of white settlement on Native Americans #csk8
A2: My middles schoolers thought a bit more about access to technology after we watched this video of an audio internet in places where people can not read https://t.co/N9hiopEQLz#csk8
My CS Masters degree program as well as my undergraduate degree required a full course in ethics. I think ethics is as important for CS if not more so than many other fields #csk8
a3: Yes, we have to remember that computing ultimately is about people. Focusing on different identities and how they are by computing’s power is an essential task. It involves taking design and empathy seriously and measure outcomes #csk8
I'm not sure about afraid, but definitely clueless (often, me included!) Its sorts the "I just learned it on my own, why do we need a class" blind spot of my field. We need it, and early! #csk8
A3: A colleague reminded me of random name pickers/random grouping tools to mix up the class as much as possible, like this one: https://t.co/3KqB42Igun#csk8
A3 #csk8 When student microworlds created in Scratch or SNAP! or other languages are shared on the web, they can see feedback from others. A bad review can hurt but also provide other perspectives, especially if their world has been culturally insensitive etc
IMHO, we aren’t doing nearly enough. Many Ss are convinced that if it’s on the internet it’s the truth. #csk8 We need to do a better job of making them discriminating consumers of information.
Sure! I spent 1 class taking about the ethics of VW's decision and code used to bypass EPA emissions tests. The aerospace engineers spent much more time on a range of cases, from challenger to plane safety regs. #csk8
I wrote my own random name picker that keeps track of who I have called betwen meetings of the class. Students seem to trust random pickers and not feel picked on. important I think. #csk8
So important. This is why the social component to certain platforms has the potential to be vitally transformative or hurtful. Have to teach the ethics around this. #csk8
A3 Well, I used to do #KoryTellers and a whole lot of #MysterySkypes. I don't really have time in my schedule for those as much anymore, but the Ss do know I tweet out pictures and videos and they know that many other people see them. They are proud to share what they know. #csk8
My gut says we understand the harm that happens when a bridge falls down, because we can see it. But we're still getting used to the harm of getting accounts hacked, or tech surveillance. Or just putting inappropriate stuff on Facebook #csk8
A3 We are working on that. Teachers need PD and support. I am a K-8 PD facilitator and it is very rewarding to watch districts take this on with the commitment and built in support to develop and support their teachers. Learning to be a connected teacher is key- PLC. #csk8
If teachers learn how to use the teacher dashboard, Scratch can be a very safe, controlled place for kids. I watched students in Avondale yesterday learn to comment on peer code and it was fun to see their excitement. #csk8
My school has a number of international students (a lot more common in HS of course) and they bring some really cool looks into other cultures in discussions. #csk8
I think an open source project like that is a great introduction for students. It presents CS and coding in a very fun and inviting way which a lot of kids prob don't think of when they think of CS #csk8
In reply to
@ed_saber, @therealmserin, @Todd_Lash, @ProcessingOrg, @p5xjs
A4 In our grades 3-5 we have a class called Digital Media that covers these issues. I do talk to the 1st and 2nd grade classes about this a little bit. #csk8
A4: Instead of delivering your views or outrage to the students you have to help them develop their own ethical perspective via questions, tools, data, and code, hopefully. so that they can always make smart decisions int he future #csk8
Common Sense Media has some really great material to teach about safety and to a certain extent ethics. #csk8 For younger students, @brainpop is great.
A3: I love the fact that programming can be so social and watching kids encouraged and empowered to help each other. They can be so much more connected with buddies all over the world and learn first hand. Scratch community is great tool- learning place to start #csk8
A4: We always discuss this when they want to copy any image they find into Scratch - ask if they want someone else to 'steal' their art work. That usually works! #csk8
A4 If we want our kids to grow up to be participants, they need to have opportunities in their education to listen, and form their own position and learn to defend it, opening awareness. #csk8
#csk8 our library media special covers these topics which is great as ian introduction. Still Ss need actually opportunities to APPLY what they learned.
Well, for us the Digital Media is more the Google stuff-docs, sheets, email, etc, and Digital Citizenship. I do the Coding, Design Process, STEM like stuff. Does that make sense? #csk8
This is interesting tho esp w a platform like Scratch which provides ability to "remix" others projects. Is that diff from "stealing"? We talk about this in music class too w hip hop sampling #csk8
#csk8 Abstraction is of the essence though; so we must find ways to make it accessible. Pointing out patterns and saving work by generalizing from similar examples
A3: I love the fact that programming can be so social and watching kids encouraged and empowered to help each other. They can be so much more connected with buddies all over the world and learn first hand. Scratch community is great tool- learning place to start #csk8
No, because Scratch projects are creative commons & you are allowed to remix as long as you credit the source. Now, taking code & not crediting is wrong and done too often unfortunately. #csk8
i am working on lessons with the #ethicalCS group to do just that. Should be able to share in the next few months. If you or anyone has ideas, reach out! #csk8
We had a game creation competition
A few years ago and some of the Ss remixed others’ games. The judge, someone in the gaming industry said that this is perfectly legitimate. #csk8
I think so. For me, it comes down to #digcit is about responding or producing using a given platform or tool. #CSed is about creation and the considerations that come with that. Similar but different. #csk8
A4: Before talking about tradeoffs of public and private info, need to uncover what everyone thinks is private vs. public. Very different opinions! #csk8
Yeah, philosophy is often incredibly abstracted too. I think, instead of abstraction, its the "focus on the human". A tech education provides a lot of opportunity for teaching human behavior, but its missed #csk8
Yes, absolutely, there is a lot of crossover for sure, but when I only have Ss for 25 minutes once every 3 days I kind of have to pick and choose. Digital Media classes are for 55 minutes once every 6 days. #csk8
This is such important work. I’m glad someone is doing it. The most important thing we can do as educators is to help Ss become independent thinkers, not clones. #csk8
Q5: What do your #CSEdWeek plans include from the non-Programming & Algorithm CSTA Standards: Computing Systems, Networks & The Internet, Data & Analysis, and/or Impacts of Computing? https://t.co/cJ6NwQaDo3#csk8
A5: We do a bit of CS history/impact - discuss Grace Hopper as our starting point to CS Edweek in grade 6. My lesson/article from 3 years back should still work! https://t.co/qjVBoSVtxU#csk8
A5: Csedweek is dad timing for my school but my colleague @Anderson_Harp has had lots of success with Family Code Night. Kids and parents coding together after-school. Similar to Hour of Code #csk8
Q5: What do your #CSEdWeek plans include from the non-Programming & Algorithm CSTA Standards: Computing Systems, Networks & The Internet, Data & Analysis, and/or Impacts of Computing? https://t.co/cJ6NwQaDo3#csk8
A5 one day entire school. MATH: coding ELA: Article on use of apps for middle schoolers HISTORY: Ethics SCIENCE: unplugged activity on algorithms #csk8
But if we are preparing them for the future/ real world when they may not be working on a creative commons platform how will they be able to tell the difference between "remixing" and "stealing"? Sometimes crediting the source isn't enough #csk8
#csk8: real functions that return values, first class citizens such as passing a user defined block as an input to another block,, closures, ability to embed javascript, ability to create "web apps" on iOS and Android, ... I could go on!
In reply to
@techteacher, @Todd_Lash, @alfredtwo, @VisionsByVicky, @ScratchEdTeam
