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Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators Capstone

In this capstone project course, you will learn to support your students in successfully completing the Advanced Placement Principles Create Task -- however this task can be useful for any course as a culminating, student-designed final programming project.

You will learn to interpret and practice applying to real sample student work the Create Task rubric and have the option to modify it for your own setting. You'll prepare resources to help students through the challenges that come with doing an open-ended project that still needs to meet certain specifications.

Finally, you'll complete your own Create Task assignment including writing about the ways in which you designed algorithms, used abstraction, and struggled with a challenge while completing the task.

You'll be prepared to help students do well on the Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles Create Task!

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What's inside

Syllabus

Capstone: Week 1

Capstone: Week 2

Capstone: Week 3

Capstone: Week 4

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Supports learners in implementing the Advanced Placement Principles Create Task, which is a widely-recognized assessment in computer science

Provides guidance on interpreting and applying the Create Task rubric, which is essential for effective assessment

Offers the opportunity to complete a Create Task assignment, providing practical experience and feedback

Led by instructor Beth Simon, who is experienced in teaching computer science principles

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Reviews summary

Well-structured capstone course

According to students, this well-structured capstone course is engaging and useful to educators. Clear instructions and practical assignments help students engage with the material. However, some students expressed confusion about assignment submission and feedback.

The assignments in this course are practical and engaging.

This course provides clear and well-structured instructions.

"The course was good, well-structured, the instructions were clear."

There is some confusion about how to submit assignments.

"I do not understand why we did not submit the assignment."

Students would like to receive more feedback on their work.

"It would be nice to receive feedback."

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 Capstone with these activities:

Review the Python programming language

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This course is taught in Python. Students should review Python before the course to ensure a strong foundation.

Browse courses on Python

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Review basic Python syntax
Practice writing simple Python programs
Complete online Python tutorials

Identify a mentor who can provide guidance and support

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Mentors can provide valuable support and guidance to students in their learning journey.

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Identify potential mentors in your field
Reach out to them and express your interest in mentorship

Organize course materials, assignments, quizzes, and exams

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Staying organized with course materials will help students stay on track and prepare for assessments.

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Create a system for organizing course materials
Consistently file and organize materials as you receive them

Six other activities

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Explore online tutorials on Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles

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The course is based on the Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles exam. Students should explore tutorials on the exam to become familiar with its content.

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Identify online tutorials for Advanced Placement Computer Science Principles
Complete several tutorials on different topics
Take practice exams or quizzes

Practice solving coding problems on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank

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The course includes a significant amount of problem-solving. Students can improve their skills with platforms that provide coding problems.

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Register on a coding problem platform
Solve problems regularly
Review solutions and learn from others

Join a study group or online forum to connect with other students

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Students can benefit from collaborating with others to discuss the course material and work together on projects.

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Find an existing study group or create one
Meet regularly to discuss the course material and work on projects

Develop a plan for a semester-long programming project

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The course emphasizes project-based learning. Starting a project plan early will help students succeed throughout the semester.

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Identify a project idea that interests you
Research the project and define its scope
Create a project plan that outlines the steps involved and the timeline

Build a portfolio of programming projects

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Students will build strong programming skills throughout the course. Creating a portfolio of their work will strengthen their learning.

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Document and present the projects
Identify programming projects to complete
Develop and implement the projects

Contribute to an open-source software project related to programming

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Open-source projects provide opportunities for students to apply their skills and contribute to the community.

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Identify an open-source project to contribute to
Familiarize yourself with the project and its codebase
Make contributions to the project

Career center

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

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts protect an organization's computer systems and networks from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, disruption, modification, or destruction.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Computer Network Architect

Computer Network Architects design and implement computer networks. They work with a variety of stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure that the network is running smoothly.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Network Architect

Product Manager

Product Managers are responsible for the development and launch of new products. They work with a variety of stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure that the product is successful.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Computer Programmer

Computer Programmers write and test code to create software applications. They work with a variety of stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure that the software is running smoothly.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Software Quality Assurance Analyst

Software Quality Assurance Analysts test software to ensure that it meets the requirements of the users and the organization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Quality Assurance Analyst

UX Designer

UX Designers create and maintain user interfaces for software and hardware products. They work with a variety of stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure that the user interface is easy to use.

See salaries and explore the career path for UX Designer

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and maintain documentation for software and hardware products. They work with a variety of stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure that the documentation is clear and concise.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators maintain and optimize databases. They work with database users to understand their needs and ensure that the database is running smoothly. The Advanced Placement Principles Create Task requires students to design and implement a database. This course may be useful for preparing for advanced coursework in database management that will provide a foundation for entry-level opportunities as a Database Administrator.

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Web Designer

Web Designers create and maintain websites. They work with a variety of stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure that the website is running smoothly.

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Computer Support Specialist

Computer Support Specialists provide technical support to computer users. They work with a variety of stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure that their computer systems are running smoothly.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Support Specialist

Data Scientist

Data Scientists use data to solve business problems. They work with large datasets to identify trends, patterns, and insights. The Advanced Placement Principles Create Task assesses several skills that can be useful for a Data Scientist, including problem solving, data analysis, and design thinking. This course may be useful to prepare for advanced coursework in computer science and data science that will provide a foundation for entry-level opportunities in this field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Computer Systems Analyst

Computer Systems Analysts study an organization's current computer systems and procedures and design changes to meet the organization's needs. They must be able to write and present technical reports, and they must be able to work with a variety of stakeholders. The Advanced Placement Principles Create Task requires students to demonstrate their ability to analyze a problem, design a solution, and communicate their findings. This course may be useful for supplementing the technical coursework that many Computer Systems Analysts must complete to enter the field.

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Computer Science Teacher

A Computer Science Teacher is responsible for preparing students to succeed in higher level computer science courses. They teach students the fundamentals of computer science, programming languages, and other core concepts. Knowledge of the Advanced Placement Principles Create Task is not a requirement, but it may serve to prepare students for advanced computer science courses, which could build a foundation for success in computer science roles. This course may be useful to teachers interested in supplementing their curriculum with open-ended, student-led projects that have project parameters.

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Software Developer

Software Developers create and maintain software applications. They work closely with other developers, project managers, and business analysts to define application specifications, design system architectures, and write and test code. Though this course may not align with the day-to-day responsibilities of a Software Developer, a developer must understand best practices and methodologies for approaching complex problems, breaking them into smaller units, and effectively modeling solutions. This course may be useful for preparing for advanced computer science coursework that would provide a more substantive foundation for this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Developer

Web Developer

Web Developers build and maintain websites. They work closely with designers and other developers to create user interfaces, write code, and test websites. Though this course may not align with the day-to-day responsibilities of a Web Developer, a developer must understand best practices and methodologies for approaching complex problems, breaking them into smaller units, and effectively modeling solutions. This course may be useful for preparing for advanced computer science coursework that would provide a more substantive foundation for this career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Reading list

We've selected 19 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 Capstone.

Cracking the AP Computer Science A Exam, 2020...

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Provides a comprehensive review of the AP Computer Science Principles exam, including practice questions and sample responses. It valuable resource for students who are preparing for the exam.

Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators Capstone

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Well-structured capstone course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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