Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements from Coursera

Want to make a game that ends when you "catch" an object by clicking on it? Or maybe you get points based on how close you came? You'll do that in this class!

This class teaches the concepts of conditional loops and if/else statements. For each concept, we'll start by helping you connect real-world experiences you are already familiar with to the programming concept you are about to learn. Next, through a cognitively scaffolded process we'll engage you in developing your fluency with problem solving with repeat until loops, while loops, and if/else statements in a way that keeps frustration at a minimum.

Along the way you will learn about the common challenges or "bugs" students have with these concepts as well as ways to help them find and fix those concepts. You'll also be guided in running classroom discussions to help students develop deeper understanding of these concepts.

Finally, you'll learn how to support interactive learning experiences among your students with Peer Instruction.

Additionally, you will create a resource for your classroom to support an equitable classroom.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Orientation

Meet Dr. Simon and fellow learners in this class! Find out what you’ll be doing and learning.

Conditional Loops

In this module we will learn about conditional loops and how they vary from fixed loops. We'll examine different examples of both loop types and look at some common challenges that you may come across. Finally you'll create your own conditional loop program and have the opportunity to create an assignment and conduct peer reviews.

More Conditional Loops

Now that you've gotten an introduction to conditional loops, we will further explore them and their variations. We will look at why some programs require conditional loops and discuss suggestions that will help students trace each program. Finally we'll learn about a variation on the repeat until loop, called the do-while loop.

If statements

In this module we'll get an introduction to conditionals, which are also known as if-else statements. First we'll examine some examples of if-else conditionals that exist in our everyday life. Next you will take a look at videos of completed programs and recreate the code. We'll end with some debugging tips and have you create your own if-else program assignment.

More If statements

Now that you have a basic understanding of conditionals, we look at some more complicated cases. You'll watch a video of how a teacher introduces the topic to her class and learn about conditionals with more than 2 scenarios. You'll also look at programs with two independent conditionals and learn how this varies from else-if statements. Finally, you'll analyze some misconceptions and challenges you initially had when learning about conditionals and create resources to help others learn about conditionals.

Equity & Pedagogy

In this module we take a look at peer instruction, an interactive teaching method that promotes learning. You will learn how peer instruction works and its benefits through various evidence-based studies. Then you'll determine how it can be applied to a computer science course and examine additional reasons peer instruction is beneficial in teaching computer science in class. You will have the opportunity to apply what you learn when creating a resource and peer reviewing others' work.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Well-suited for learners with programming experience who wish to enhance their CS teaching practice

Provides strategies and tips to support CS learners in developing foundational problem-solving skills

Emphasizes the significance of peer instruction as an effective method for fostering interactive learning and student engagement

Focuses on the practical implementation of conditional loops and if/else statements through hands-on programming exercises

Reviews summary

Mixed reviews for k-12 educators course

According to students, the course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements, has many strengths. Students specifically praise its solid lectures, helpful activities, and useful tips that help prep teachers for potential student struggles. However, some have noted that the course is poorly maintained as an error prevents learners from completing their work.

Useful tips for overcoming student struggles.

"Helpful tips that predict where k-12 students will have trouble and what to do about it."

Course completion may be hindered by an error.

"The content of this course is very well structured and interesting. Unfortunately, the course is very poorly maintained. An error in a link prevents you from completing the course."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements with these activities:

Head First Java

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Gain a comprehensive understanding of Java programming concepts, including conditional loops and if statements.

View Head First Java: A Brain-Friendly Guide on Amazon

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Read the sections in the book that cover conditional loops and if statements.
Take notes and highlight important concepts.
Complete the exercises and examples provided in the book.

If statement flowchart

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Visualize the decision-making process of if statements to enhance comprehension.

Browse courses on If Statements

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Create a flowchart that represents the logic of an if statement.
Include the conditional expression, the true branch, and the false branch.
Use the flowchart to trace the execution of the if statement for different input values.

Conditional loop tutorials

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Review concepts and examples to deepen understanding of conditional loop usage and functionality.

Browse courses on Conditional Loops

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Find online tutorials or documentation that provide clear explanations and examples of conditional loops.
Follow along with the tutorials and try out the examples provided.
Take notes or create summaries to reinforce learning.

Four other activities

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Show all seven activities

Conditional loop exercises

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Practice different types of conditional loops to solidify understanding of their usage and behavior.

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Review the different types of conditional loops available in the programming language used in the course.
Create a program that uses a conditional loop to perform a specific task, such as counting the number of times a user enters a specific input.
Debug and refine the program to ensure it works correctly.

If-else statement practice

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Apply if-else statements in practical scenarios to improve decision-making logic.

Browse courses on If Statements

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Create a program that uses if-else statements to control the flow of the program based on user input or other conditions.
Test the program with different inputs and observe the resulting behavior.
Debug and modify the program to ensure it meets the desired requirements.

Peer review of conditional loop code

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Provide and receive feedback on conditional loop code to improve problem-solving and coding skills.

Browse courses on Conditional Loops

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Pair up with a classmate.
Exchange conditional loop code and provide constructive feedback on logic, efficiency, and readability.
Incorporate feedback to refine and improve the code.

Interactive program with conditional loops and if statements

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Demonstrate proficiency in using conditional loops and if statements to create a fully functional and interactive program.

Browse courses on Loops

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Design the program's logic and functionality, including the use of conditional loops and if statements.
Implement the program in the programming language used in the course.
Test the program thoroughly to ensure it meets the desired requirements.
Optionally, share the program with others and receive feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Computer Science Teacher

The course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements, will provide you with the knowledge and skills to teach these concepts to your students. You will learn about the common challenges students have with these concepts and how to help them find and fix those concepts. This course will also provide you with resources to support an equitable classroom.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Science Teacher

Software Engineer

The course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements, will be a foundational course for your studies in Software Engineering. This course covers key programming concepts such as conditional loops and if/else statements, which will be integral to your success in building and designing software applications. Furthermore, the course focuses on helping you understand the challenges students have with these concepts. This will be particularly useful if you work on educational software products for schools.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Web Developer

Conditional Loops and If Statements is a critical introductory course for an aspiring Web Developer. This course will help you understand the foundational programming concepts you will use to build your web applications. Furthermore, the course will help you understand the challenges students have with these concepts. This will be particularly useful if you are working on educational software products for schools.

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Data Scientist

As a Data Scientist, you will use programming to manipulate, transform, and gain insight from data. This course will help you build a strong foundation in key programming concepts such as conditional loops and if/else statements. These concepts will be used throughout your data science career.

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Curriculum Developer

As a Curriculum Developer, you will be responsible for designing and developing educational curricula. This course will provide you with pedagogical background about peer instruction. You will learn how peer instruction works and its benefits. Some of the curricula you create may be used to teach programming concepts like conditional loops and if/else statements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Curriculum Developer

Instructional Designer

As an Instructional Designer, you will be responsible for designing and developing educational materials. This course will provide you with pedagogical background about peer instruction. You will learn how peer instruction works and its benefits. Some of the materials you create may be used to teach programming concepts like conditional loops and if/else statements.

See salaries and explore the career path for Instructional Designer

Education Researcher

As an Education Researcher, you may study how students learn programming concepts like conditional loops and if/else statements. This course will help you understand the challenges students have with these concepts and how to help them find and fix those concepts.

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Technical Writer

The course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements, is not directly related to the field of Technical Writing. However, the course may be helpful for you to understand the technical concepts that you will be writing about.

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Project Manager

The course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements, is not directly related to the field of Project Management. However, the course may be helpful for you to understand the technical concepts that you will be working with.

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Business Analyst

The course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements, is not directly related to the field of Business Analysis. However, the course may be helpful for you to understand the technical concepts that you will be working with.

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Product Manager

The course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements, is not directly related to the field of Product Management. However, the course may be helpful for you to understand the technical concepts that you will be working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Systems Analyst

The course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements, is not directly related to the field of Systems Analysis. However, the course may be helpful for you to understand the technical concepts that you will be working with.

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Network Administrator

The course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements, is not directly related to the field of Network Administration. However, the course may be helpful for you to understand the technical concepts that you will be working with.

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Database Administrator

The course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements, is not directly related to the field of Database Administration. However, the course may be helpful for you to understand the technical concepts that you will be working with.

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Salesforce Administrator

The course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements, is not directly related to the field of Salesforce Administration. However, the course may be helpful for you to understand the technical concepts that you will be working with.

See salaries and explore the career path for Salesforce Administrator