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Beth Simon
How do we give instructions to a computer? Isn't programming hard? Not really! Whether it's giving someone directions to a nearby store or writing out some dance moves we frequently exhibit aspects of computational thinking in our everyday lives!
Read more
How do we give instructions to a computer? Isn't programming hard? Not really! Whether it's giving someone directions to a nearby store or writing out some dance moves we frequently exhibit aspects of computational thinking in our everyday lives!
Read more
How do we give instructions to a computer? Isn't programming hard? Not really! Whether it's giving someone directions to a nearby store or writing out some dance moves we frequently exhibit aspects of computational thinking in our everyday lives!
This class teaches the first key concepts of programming -- sequences of instructions and basic counted repetition of instructions. 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 sequences and repeated instructions 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 about a recommended pedagogical practice, Pair Programming, and find out why research recommends teaching block-based programming first.
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/h8n5e8/computational
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What's inside
Syllabus
Course Orientation
Meet Dr. Simon and fellow learners in this class! Find out what you’ll be doing and learning.
Computational Thinking and Sequences
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Syllabus
Course Orientation
Meet Dr. Simon and fellow learners in this class! Find out what you’ll be doing and learning.
Computational Thinking and Sequences
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Develops basic programming principles through hands-on practice, ideal for beginners
Leverages block-based programming to facilitate understanding of fundamental concepts
Taught by Dr. Simon, an experienced instructor in educational technology and computer science
Introduces pedagogical practices like pair programming to enhance learning
Provides a solid foundation for further exploration in computational thinking
Requires no prior programming knowledge, making it accessible to diverse learners
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Reviews summary
Teaching computational thinking basics for k-12
According to learners (inferred from course materials), this course provides a strong foundation for K-12 educators looking to teach computational thinking concepts like sequences and loops. It focuses heavily on practical classroom applications, offering strategies for addressing student difficulties and incorporating pedagogical techniques like Pair Programming. The course leverages relevant block-based tools like Snap and code.org, which are useful in a K-12 setting. While it appears excellent for beginners with no prior coding experience, those already familiar with programming basics might find the initial content quite introductory. It also touches upon broader topics like equity and CS standards, adding valuable context.
Discusses equity and standards.
"Found the module on equity very informative."
"Helpful to understand the broader landscape of CS education."
"Provided good context for why teaching CT is important."
Covers core sequences and loops.
"Sequences and loops were explained very clearly."
"Good starting point if you're new to programming logic."
"The scaffolded approach made learning easy."
Leverages Snap and code.org platforms.
"Using Snap felt very intuitive for learning the basics."
"Seeing how code.org structures activities gave me ideas."
"Working with block-based programming is key for K-12."
Offers practical teaching strategies.
"It really helped me think about how students might struggle with these concepts."
"The sections on classroom discussions and Pair Programming were invaluable."
"Practical tips for actually teaching this material effectively."
May be too introductory for some.
"Felt the pace was quite slow if you had any coding background."
"Could use more advanced programming challenges."
"Focused heavily on the very first steps in CT."
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: Sequences and Loops with these
activities:
Organize and review notes, assignments, and assessments
Show steps
Keeping your materials organized and up-to-date will aid in retention and make future revisions easier.
Show steps
-
Create a system for organizing your notes, assignments, and assessments
-
Review your materials regularly
Refine existing coding skills
Show steps
Beginning this course with a stronger programming foundation will help you grasp more advanced concepts throughout the course.
Browse courses on
Programming Concepts
Show steps
-
Review Python syntax and fundamental concepts
-
Complete a set of coding challenges
Review Think Python
Show steps
This book provides a comprehensive introduction to Python and computational thinking, complementing the course content.
View
Think Python
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read through the first few chapters of the book
-
Complete the exercises and practice problems
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Join a study group or participate in peer-to-peer discussions
Show steps
Engaging with peers can enhance your learning by sharing perspectives, discussing concepts, and providing support.
Show steps
-
Connect with other students in the course or online forums
-
Organize regular study sessions or discussion groups
Practice solving programming problems
Show steps
Deliberately practicing problem solving will develop your problem solving skills and solidify your understanding of core concepts.
Browse courses on
Problem Solving
Show steps
-
Choose an online coding platform (e.g., LeetCode, HackerRank)
-
Start with easier problems and gradually increase the difficulty
-
Document and reflect on your solutions
Follow online tutorials on advanced programming topics
Show steps
Supplement your learning by exploring specialized topics through online tutorials, deepening your understanding and expanding your skill set.
Browse courses on
Object-Oriented Programming
Show steps
-
Identify areas where you want to improve your knowledge
-
Search for reputable tutorials on those topics
-
Follow the tutorials step-by-step and complete the exercises
Create a programming project to demonstrate your understanding
Show steps
Applying your knowledge to a practical project will solidify your comprehension and showcase your abilities.
Show steps
-
Identify a problem or idea you want to solve using code
-
Design and implement your solution
-
Test and debug your program
Organize and review notes, assignments, and assessments
Show steps
Keeping your materials organized and up-to-date will aid in retention and make future revisions easier.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Create a system for organizing your notes, assignments, and assessments
- Review your materials regularly
Refine existing coding skills
Show steps
Beginning this course with a stronger programming foundation will help you grasp more advanced concepts throughout the course.
Browse courses on
Programming Concepts
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review Python syntax and fundamental concepts
- Complete a set of coding challenges
Review Think Python
Show steps
This book provides a comprehensive introduction to Python and computational thinking, complementing the course content.
View
Think Python
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read through the first few chapters of the book
- Complete the exercises and practice problems
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Join a study group or participate in peer-to-peer discussions
Show steps
Engaging with peers can enhance your learning by sharing perspectives, discussing concepts, and providing support.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Connect with other students in the course or online forums
- Organize regular study sessions or discussion groups
Practice solving programming problems
Show steps
Deliberately practicing problem solving will develop your problem solving skills and solidify your understanding of core concepts.
Browse courses on
Problem Solving
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Choose an online coding platform (e.g., LeetCode, HackerRank)
- Start with easier problems and gradually increase the difficulty
- Document and reflect on your solutions
Follow online tutorials on advanced programming topics
Show steps
Supplement your learning by exploring specialized topics through online tutorials, deepening your understanding and expanding your skill set.
Browse courses on
Object-Oriented Programming
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify areas where you want to improve your knowledge
- Search for reputable tutorials on those topics
- Follow the tutorials step-by-step and complete the exercises
Create a programming project to demonstrate your understanding
Show steps
Applying your knowledge to a practical project will solidify your comprehension and showcase your abilities.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a problem or idea you want to solve using code
- Design and implement your solution
- Test and debug your program
Career center
Learners who complete Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Sequences and Loops will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Computer Programmer
Computer Programmer
Computer Programmers write and test code that solves business and scientific problems. This can involve designing, developing, and maintaining software applications. This course will provide you with a foundation in programming fundamentals like sequences, repeats, and debugging, which will help you in securing a job and advancing your career in this field. The course's emphasis on problem-solving and logical thinking will be particularly relevant to your day-to-day work.
Web Developer
Web Developer
Web Developers design and build websites and web applications. This often includes working with code to add features and improve performance. You are responsible for writing code that defines a website's structure, user interface, and functionality. This course will help you to build a foundation in programming fundamentals like sequences, repeats, and debugging, which will be helpful in your pursuit of a career as a Web Developer. The course's focus on block-based programming will be particularly relevant as you begin to design and create web interfaces.
Software Quality Assurance Analyst
Software Quality Assurance Analyst
Software Quality Assurance Analysts test software to ensure that it meets quality standards. This can involve writing test cases, executing tests, and reporting on test results. This course will provide you with a foundation in programming fundamentals like sequences, repeats, and debugging, which will help you in securing a job and advancing your career in this field. The course's focus on problem-solving and logical thinking will be particularly relevant to your day-to-day work.
Web Designer
Web Designer
Web Designers create and maintain websites. This can involve designing the look and feel of a website, as well as writing code to implement the design. This course will provide you with a foundation in programming fundamentals like sequences, repeats, and debugging, which will help you in securing a job and advancing your career in this field. The course's focus on understanding how code works "under the hood" will be particularly relevant to your work as a Web Designer.
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineer
Robotics Engineers design, build, and test robots. This can involve working on a variety of projects, from developing new robots to improving the performance of existing ones. This course will provide you with a foundation in programming fundamentals like sequences, repeats, and debugging, which will help you in securing a job and advancing your career in this field. The course's focus on understanding how code works "under the hood" will be particularly relevant to your work as a Robotics Engineer.
Software Engineer
Software Engineer
As a Software Engineer, you will get to apply your programming knowledge to develop, deploy, and maintain software applications. This course will provide you with a foundation in programming fundamentals like sequences, repeats, and debugging, which will help you in securing a job and advancing your career in this field. This course takes a unique approach, connecting real-world experiences to programming concepts, helping you to better understand their applications beyond theoretical settings.
Data Analyst
Data Analyst
Data Analysts collect, clean, and analyze data to extract meaningful insights. This can involve using statistical software to identify trends and patterns in data. This course will provide you with a foundation in programming fundamentals like sequences, repeats, and debugging, which will help you in securing a job and advancing your career in this field. The course's focus on problem-solving and logical thinking will be particularly relevant to your day-to-day work.
Computer Systems Analyst
Computer Systems Analyst
Computer Systems Analysts help businesses and organizations improve their computer systems, which can involve consulting, planning, and designing new systems. This course will provide you with a foundation in programming fundamentals like sequences, repeats, and debugging, which will help you in securing a job and advancing your career in this field. The course's focus on understanding how code works "under the hood" will be particularly relevant to your work as a Computer Systems Analyst.
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designer
User Experience Designers create and evaluate user interfaces for websites, apps, and other products. This can involve designing the look and feel of a product, as well as conducting user research to ensure that the product is easy to use. This course will provide you with a foundation in programming fundamentals like sequences, repeats, and debugging, which will help you in securing a job and advancing your career in this field. The course's focus on understanding how users interact with technology will be particularly relevant to your work as a User Experience Designer.
Computer Science Teacher
Computer Science Teacher
As a Computer Science Teacher, your primary task is to prepare lesson plans, teach classes, and assess student learning. It is helpful to have a deeper understanding of code outside of what is strictly required to teach your subject matter. This course in Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators will help you in securing a job and advancing your career by building a foundation in programming fundamentals like sequences, repeats, and debugging. A solid understanding of these concepts will help you to better connect with your students and teach them effectively.
Data Science Teacher
Data Science Teacher
Data Science Teachers are responsible for teaching data science to high school students, preparing them for further study or careers in the field. This course in Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators will help you in securing a job and advancing your career by providing you with a foundation in the basic concepts of programming, making you a more effective teacher.
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analyst
Information Security Analysts plan and implement security measures to protect an organization's information systems from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction. This course will provide you with a foundation in programming fundamentals like sequences, repeats, and debugging, which will help you in securing a job and advancing your career in this field. The course's emphasis on problem-solving and logical thinking will be particularly relevant to your day-to-day work.
Network Administrator
Network Administrator
Network Administrators are responsible for designing, implementing, and maintaining computer networks. This can involve installing and configuring network hardware and software, as well as monitoring and troubleshooting network performance. This course will provide you with a foundation in programming fundamentals like sequences, repeats, and debugging, which will help you in securing a job and advancing your career in this field. The course's focus on understanding how code works "under the hood" will be particularly relevant to your work as a Network Administrator.
Database Administrator
Database Administrator
Database Administrators ensure that an organization's databases are running smoothly, and they optimize database performance and maintain its security. This course will provide you with a foundation in programming fundamentals like sequences, repeats, and debugging, which will help you in securing a job and advancing your career in this field. The course's emphasis on problem-solving and logical thinking will be particularly relevant to your day-to-day work.
Information Technology Project Manager
Information Technology Project Manager
Information Technology Project Managers plan, execute, and close information technology projects. This can involve managing a team of IT professionals and ensuring that projects are completed on time and within budget. This course will provide you with a foundation in programming fundamentals like sequences, repeats, and debugging, which will help you in securing a job and advancing your career in this field. The course's emphasis on problem-solving and logical thinking will be particularly relevant to your day-to-day work.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/h8n5e8/computational
Reading list
We've selected ten books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Sequences and Loops.
This classic textbook series provides a comprehensive and rigorous treatment of computer science fundamentals, including algorithms, data structures, and programming techniques. It is an invaluable resource for those who want to deepen their understanding of computational thinking.
This textbook standard reference for algorithms and data structures. It provides a comprehensive treatment of the subject, including detailed explanations and proofs. It valuable resource for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the theoretical foundations of computational thinking.
Save
This classic book explores the intersection of mathematics, logic, and art. It provides a unique and thought-provoking perspective on the fundamental nature of computation and the human mind. valuable resource for those who want to deepen their understanding of the philosophical foundations of computational thinking.
Save
This classic essay explores the relationship between human intelligence and artificial intelligence. It argues that computation fundamental aspect of intelligence, and it provides a framework for understanding how computers can be used to solve problems that are beyond the reach of human capabilities.
This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to discrete mathematics, which is the foundation for many areas of computer science, including algorithms, data structures, and cryptography. It valuable resource for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the mathematical underpinnings of computational thinking.
This textbook provides a unique perspective on computer science by focusing on the underlying principles of computer systems. It covers topics such as logic, digital circuits, and computer architecture, which are essential for understanding the hardware and software that implement computational thinking.
Save
Explores the nature of the self and consciousness from a computational perspective. It examines the relationship between the brain, the mind, and the external world, and it provides insights into the fundamental principles of computational thinking.
This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to probabilistic graphical models, which are powerful tools for representing and reasoning about complex systems. It valuable resource for those who want to gain a deeper understanding of the probabilistic foundations of computational thinking.
This textbook provides a comprehensive introduction to programming and problem solving using Python. It covers a wide range of topics, including data structures, algorithms, and testing, which are essential for developing effective computational thinking skills.
Provides a fun and easy-to-follow introduction to programming using Python. It is designed for children and beginners, and it covers basic programming concepts such as sequences, loops, and functions, which are covered in this course.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/h8n5e8/computational
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Effort
5 weeks of study, 2-4 hours/week
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of California San Diego
Instructor
Beth Simon
Language
English
Transcripts
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This course belongs to a
collection
called
Computational Thinking & Block Programming in K-12 Education. It's comprised of six courses:
- Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals
- Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Variables and Nested Loops
- Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators Capstone
- Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Abstraction, Methods, and Lists
- Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Sequences and Loops (viewing)
- Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Conditional Loops and If Statements
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