#csk8 Archive
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.
Wednesday April 20, 2016
The CSTA K-8 Task Group welcomes you to chat. Our topic tonight is: Preparing Teachers for
Our moderators tonight will be and and
An important topic to discuss
Before we get started, please take a moment to introduce yourself so we know who’s joining us tonight.
Agreed! Thanks for joining us tonight.
Hi Everyone! Smita from Palo Alto. Am going to try to be around the entire hour😀 Great to be here
Great being here. Looking forward to it. Putting boys to bed. Popping in and out. :)
Hi Smita, glad you could make it.
I'm Todd from Illinois. I'm an instructional coach for CS/CT k-5
Totally understanding, thanks for making the time to join us!
Welcome Smita! Glad you could join
Hello , prof working on CS at inservice and preservice
Vicky, K-8 tech teacher from Los Angeles. Hi - glad you're joining us.
That what I do most of these chats April! Thanks for joining when you can.
I'm Grant, a CS K-5 teacher trainer
Glad to see you all at . I'm Dawn, I teach middle school in Colorado, and I will be in and out tonight :)
So glad you could be here Vicky.
Hi Dawn, great to have you here!
Hey fellow teachers! I'm Justin -- 6-12 STEM and teacher from FL. Looking forward to a great chat!
I am Sheena, a CS teacher in California for 5+ years, CSTA K-8 board member.
Hey Justin. Thanks for popping in to talk
Hello Justin and welcome!
The chat is a structured chat which means questions will be numbered Q1 for Question 1, Q2 for Question 2, etc.
I'm Scott-- a middle school tech teacher in San Diego-- Hi all!
Hi Scott, great to see you here, as always.
Answers should start with A1 for the answer to Q1, A2 to answer Q2, etc. matching the question being answered.
Hey, Scott. Good to "see" you.
Thanks for joining Scott!
Hi Pam from NC middle school teacher
Question 1 is coming right up - Be watching for it.
Q1: What are some of the challenges we face as we prepare teachers for ?
Thanks so much for joining Pam!
A1 convincing them they can teach CS!
A1: Part of the challenge is identifying how will be taught. Integreated, stand alone etc.
A1: I think a big hurdle most see is how they can fit it into their day w/everything else they're req'd to do.
Great point, how were you convinced?
Sorry I'm late. Tami in MN. Teach 6th grade + instructional tech director k12
A1: Successful requires Ts knowing how to teach CS (content and pedagogy) to all S regardless of ability or background
Welcome! We just started Q1
Fit which, the preparation or the actual teaching?
What are some of the challenges we face as we prepare teachers for ?
Both, actually. They feel they don't know how or have time to learn & don't have time to teach it.
We are experiencing that. WHO is responsible? Add a teacher librarian, I gladly take it on.
A1: After doing tech integration support most of my career, I see it as trying to find the right tool for the job...
A1: convincing all Ts that they can integrate v/s one more thing
Q1: What are some of the challenges we face as we prepare teachers for ?
A1: Fear of the unknown. many Ts like to be in command of content.
A1: It has to be a natural fit, not too forced, to integrate. Like simulations in science - natural CS connection.
So true and not knowing the content can be scary. https://t.co/j0ZIg9IWvN
A1: Fear of the unknown. many Ts like to be in command of content.
How long would you say it takes to gain command of CS for the K-5 level?
Content is easier, but beginning Ts need to also understand how to make it easier for Ss to understand
What does it take to get them in command of the content? How long can they teach with out it?
A1: Teamwork is so crucial to success of Ss. Maintaining strong instructional teams while exploring new and unknown curriculum...
hi all, I am a K-5 STEM/ CS leader in Bellevue WA
We use to do albedo models when studying climate in science 7 - natural fit
With things like ScratchJr & Scratch, you can integrate into most any subject area especially in K-5.
Hi CHeri, welcome to the chat. Glad to have you here.
So important that we connect CS to what Ts already do in the classroom
Hi Cheri thanks for joining us, we just started Q1
Hi! we're on Q1: What are some of the challenges we face as we prepare teachers for ?
Q1: What are some of the challenges we face as we prepare teachers for ?
Q2: What knowledge must teachers have in order to teach effectively?
Practice, but it's important that we don't fee like we need to know it all before coding with Ss.
That's why public chats like this chat tonight are so key for new Ts to the subject 👍🏻 https://t.co/vOrTLInOUm
So true and not knowing the content can be scary. https://t.co/j0ZIg9IWvN
A1: Fear of the unknown. many Ts like to be in command of content.
Where are the Qs posting? Thanks.
Agreed. and are killer tools for digital storytelling and presentation
can it be successful as its own class?
Q2: What knowledge must teachers have in order to teach effectively?
I think Ts can learn enough in a few hours to be comfy enpigh to proceed with coding at K-5
I think yes BUT do schools have time in their schedules and $$ for a teacher to do this? https://t.co/HKGxkGYifp
can it be successful as its own class?
A2: in my opinion, knowledge comes with the right attitude. The latter is crucial
A2: understanding of comp thinking concepts and practices
A2: Knowing your primary subject very well is going to be important. Workshops and trainings should show how to branch off of that.
A1, Training is important!
A1: My biggest obstacle is helping teachers see the value of and not just for nerds.
With the hashtag - Q2: What knowledge must teachers have in order to teach effectively?
I've seen this implemented in multiple districts already with plans on even more. Easier for the smaller districts
What would you consider essential Cheri?
Is it a required course for all students at all grade levels?
A2: For teachers who are tech comfortable, they need to know CS is more than just coding or teaching Java.
A2, Perhaps not what you're looking for but w/o curriculum or mandate, I'm teaching myself then Ss.
Yes, and that's where it can be more difficult to integrate, IMO. https://t.co/Govk3CiZOQ
A2: For teachers who are tech comfortable, they need to know CS is more than just coding or teaching Java.
Yes, K-5 at some, even K-8 at others. required for ALL students in district
A2: Ts need to know content , how to deliver that content for all S, how to make it equitable, what conceptions Ss have. Ts do so much
I think a lot of people are. https://t.co/FtDeejI2NA
A2, Perhaps not what you're looking for but w/o curriculum or mandate, I'm teaching myself then Ss.
A2: Teachers must have both content and pedagogy knowledge. Teaching coding has its own challenges!.
Right, so moving forward what is baseline knowledge for teachers teaching ?
That's awesome and I'd love to see it in every district but I'm cynical & don't see that happening.
I see it as CS Ts working closely with core content areas Ts to help students see CS in context
More on that later Sheena and thanks for joining :)
A2 Teachers must have some knowledge of coding/ program they are using andknowledge of how it can fit into curriculum.
A2: I think Ts need to understand that CS is more than just coding and need to see how it can fit into existing content.
A1/A2: Chalets will be keeping good teachers who know content in the profession
In my school, tech coordinators do that and support early implementation
Q3: What kinds of experiences should teachers engage in to acquire that knowledge?
A2: another aspect is Ts modelling that they are learning with the Ss goes a Long way in teaching various skills
A2: That "baseline" knowledge is important to identify so Ts know what they'll need to learn and cover w/Ss.
Does each school in your district have a tech coordinator?
basic concept understanding & ideas to teach them unplugged & w/in other content areas math/ss/sci/art starting in K
Coding is more quantifiable than CS, but in some ways CS is less intimidating
Yes, and I think Ss appreciate that their teacher is also willing to learn. https://t.co/8tOhe8smDY
A2: another aspect is Ts modelling that they are learning with the Ss goes a Long way in teaching various skills
Sorry I am in and out of this chat, trying to multi-task!
It's still a scheduling problem. What don't you teach in order to have that class?
Love to hear more about that Tami. Please elaboprate.
What about the skills gained from offline activities? Can those be integrated or demo skills that relate to other areas?
I can see your point, what do you think makes CS less intimidating?
I LOVE unplugged coding! Great problem solving and communicatio involved.
Interesting, I would think w/all the "coding" resources now that CS would be more intimidating w/big data, networks, etc.
depends on school/district. Mainly replaced "Tech" class where they used to do powerpoint/word.
That's basically what is happening in my school though I do both. So many schools I know don't have a tech class anymore.
We are K12 with a coord to support and do integration in Elem, MS (me), and HS, so 3.
How have the students responded? learning? engagement? I love unplugged, too!
I was thinking along those lines. Ex-Is this a problem a computer can solve? If so, how might it go about that?
I know has a great compilation of unplugged activities :)
Right, it's super easy if they still do, almost no excuse not to upgrade to CS. Training the teacher is still an issue
Q3: What kinds of experiences should teachers engage in to acquire that knowledge?
That will most likely always be the issue at least for awhile.
Exactly. Activities, questions, problem solving to understand processes and procedures. Can be illustrated or discussed.
Should CS teachers attend coding bootcamps as a preparation?
, Meet ups, , through Twitter, school, community, etc.
I do think that at least immersion activities are helpful for neophytes
But I've still seen other districts make the time when they don't have a Tech special area class, just harder to do
A3 An English teacher asked me last week to do teacher followed by CS integration examples, for starter.
A3--Try various coding platforms, look at what is available--what fits your curriculum and your S
A3: First, I think Ts need to be trained in what CS is and then in how they should teach it at their grade level.
Ss & Ts love unplugged 4 engagement and retention of ideas/concepts
Agree that training is critical as is making the connection of CT across the curriculum
A3: risk taking, trying new things, visiting the museum (virtual tour avlbl), maybe an online coding class
Focus on problem solving, computational thinking, analysis, decomposition - habits of mind at least @ 1st
A3: INTERDISCIPLINARY PLCS! Crossing subject-area steams opens Ts minds to accept new connections and dig deeper into their subject
This is really it And what CS isn't :)
Great point, CS for 1st grade is sooooo different than CS for high school.
Yes, I think getting the big picture CS is important before plunging into individual coding activities
Q4: What are some effective ways of preparing teachers for - Share examples of good PD opportunities.
Yes, and I think that's what missing with some of what's happening now. PPl are jumping into the middle w/coding.
A3: The best is to observe a CS classroom that is working well. Not easy to do always! Or learn from existing CS teachers?
I read that as if you were the Kool-Aide man breaking through a wall!
It's great to get them up and moving.
True, but that can be difficult. https://t.co/fY9TSkvq7h
A3: The best is to observe a CS classroom that is working well. Not easy to do always! Or learn from existing CS teachers?
Yes that is hard to find for some but most effective. Video conference in remotely to one
Ooh, you should make a video series of your classroom for others to observe who don't have access to a CS classroom
We are doing that this quarter. T's observe and then reflect and plan after seeing another teacher
A4 Run a group of teachers through an unplugged activity (ideally integrated) and break down where the CS components are.
Ts like me (business) and others see the need and get training.
A3: The CSTA conference is a good place to learn from existing CS teachers - July at San Diego.
By changing the attitude of people towards teaching and truly rewarding those professionals
I don't know, I see these as more of a pep rally than actual preparation...
Great idea https://t.co/F3u3f8olu0
A4 Run a group of teachers through an unplugged activity (ideally integrated) and break down where the CS components are.
Interesting. I am attending 1st one soon. We will see. Need pep rally 1st, then experience.
A4: in addition to what's been said, offers some great free online workshops. Am trying a one v well designed
A4: Having an embedded training that can support and mentor throughout year has been super effective
Would love to see exemplary CS class videos, like the ones on the FL and AZ sites w exemplary tech integration strategies
That is probably the idea but again many districts don't have this.
Yes, that would be a resource issue for most districts
We have to rely on preparing existing teachers to become CS teachers - it must be built in some how!
agreed, effective but not efficient. is working on training materials that may help with that! ;)
Yes, or for classroom teachers to integrate it into curriculum. https://t.co/2nHos3d8VW
We have to rely on preparing existing teachers to become CS teachers - it must be built in some how!
I agree. That is a short term solution and a start, we need to start building the pipeline
It is going to be both existing and new teachers. Have to prepare both and start thinking about it now.
I think the change is happening but it is so slow that it isn't apparently visible
Yes, but I don't think pre-service programs address CS now, do they?
What if we look at for CS that integrate into all areas then integrate coding projects as approp?
I do not see any CS majors going into education - not with the starting salary they get when they graduate!
Q5 is coming right up, hot and ready!
really hope pre-service training starts soon. Maybe by the time I finish EdD, could make that my job
I met teachers from UC San Diego who had some exposure. Am hoping it is the new trend.
I haven't. It looks good but it's not in our budget.
Q5: How do we know when teachers are ready to teach ?
Teaching CS is a calling. For some it is more fulfilling than the money in industry.
For sure, CSTA conference is best for CS. https://t.co/fa4ULLsqJh
Skipping ISTE this year. CS sessions there tend not to be as good as those at the CSTA conference.
Working on developing a pathway for CS endorsement here
Wow! When I went to ISTE few years back there were 4 CS sessions. I was one of them - in the worst spot too!
Even had many more sessions this year for
A5: Good question. Until there is some kind of certification, it could be hard to tell.
A4. A couple more CS resources K-5. and both have free component. Both are worth the paid version
Q5: How do we know when teachers are ready to teach ?
A5: T's are initially ready when they can learn w/ students, but ultimately they need to understand concept, practice and ped.
Agree! CS folks do not know how much fun they are missing by not being in education!
Where's the link for the virtual tour? I looked quickly and didn't see it.
Thanks for joining Michael. Glad you could make it.
I'll be presenting 2 CS at ISTE. One for the and another Code Like an Artist w/
Q6: How is educating teachers for different than with other subjects? Are there new pedagogies that must be learned?
Hard to convince enough 21 year olds to give up starting CS salary for teacher salary of ~40K
I can't make it this year. Hope you will share slides and materials?
A6: Since for many it is a new subject, we have opportunity to apply new pedagogy that are superior! PBL, Constructivism...
Big part of teacher prep is that many can't go to conferences. Ask presenters to share slides and materials via social media please!
A6: Hands on. Avoid making this another multiple-choice tested subject.
A6: It is like having another tool/strategy Ts have in hand to teach the existing subjects
A6 CS comes with baggage that other areas don't. Fear/intimidation that it's too hard or just for nerds. Esp w tech-phobic
Thank you for coming to tonight’s chat about Preparing Teachers for
