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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!

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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.

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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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Is computational thinking everywhere? Reflect on computational thinking in your life and brainstorm instructions for real world tasks. Discuss the process by which we become better computing teachers and create a block-based program in Snap by reordering a set of provided instructions.
More Sequences
Get ready to do some programming puzzles! Create a Snap program and reflect on what aspects of the program students might struggle with. Work on challenge questions and reflect on how to discuss sequences in a classroom setting. Take a break from Snap and explore the code.org curriculums to create an assessment question!
Repeats
Invent a faster way to write instructions for your robotic friend! Get started solving programming puzzles that use repeats and reflect on what areas students might struggle with. Reinforce your knowledge as you complete a set of programs on google slides -- this time without using Snap to check your work!
More Repeats
More programming with repeats - except with a bit of a challenge! Explore the free curriculum on code.org’s platform analyzing the feedback and hints they provide for their activities. Work closely in their artist environment and examine the difference between code.org block-based programming and your work in Snap.
Equity & Pedagogy
Who is learning CS? How is CS being taught? Learn about the state of CS standards and teacher credentialing. Evaluate pedagogy techniques such as pair and buddy programing -- how effective are they in teaching CS?

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, 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

Engaging computational thinking for educators

Learners say that Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Sequences and Loops is an engaging and rewarding course that provides informative and useful material. Many students remark on the well-paced assignments, which help them to develop new skills in computational thinking. Others appreciate how the course opens their eyes to important issues and expands their pedagogical toolbox for teaching students.
Assignments are well-paced
"assignments are well paced."
Enjoyable experience
"Enjoyed the experiencing and sharpening new skills and knowledge."
Expands pedagogical toolbox
"Expanded my pedagogical toolbox."
Provides valuable information
"Informative, useful and very well paced."
Grading criteria can be unclear
"grading criteria are extremely opaque"

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
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
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
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
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
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
Supplement your learning by exploring specialized topics through online tutorials, deepening your understanding and expanding your skill set.
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
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

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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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 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 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 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.

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.
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.
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.
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.

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