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Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators

Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals

How could you program a complex "choose your own adventure" game? How can your soccer game determine goals, balls out of bounds, and corner kicks? You'll learn to do both of these in this course!

This class teaches the concepts of nested if/else statements and compound Boolean conditional expressions. 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 nested if/else statements and compound conditionals 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 prepare classroom resources to help your students to develop debugging skills. Additionally, you will create resources to help educate your students about the impacts of lack of equity in K-12 CS instruction.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Course Orientation

Nested If/Else Part 1

Explore conditional executing by learning about nested if-else statements. Use nested if-elses in examples where there are three or more options. Design your own conditional system, re-create Snap programs based on video solutions, and review some common debugging tips.

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Explores nested if/else statements and compound Boolean conditional expressions

Teaches foundational concepts in programming logic

Provides cognitively scaffolded learning experiences to minimize frustration

Prepares participants to guide classroom discussions on complex programming concepts

Guides participants in creating classroom resources to promote debugging skills and equity in CS instruction

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Reviews summary

Computational thinking for k-12 educators

According to learners, this course is a valuable resource for K-12 educators looking to introduce computational thinking concepts like nested if statements and compound conditionals. Many appreciate the course's focus on pedagogy and classroom application, providing practical tips for teaching debugging and facilitating discussions. Students find the content well-structured and the explanations clear, making complex topics accessible. The use of multiple programming environments like Snap and Scratch is generally seen as positive, although some educators noted challenges transitioning between them. Overall, it's considered a highly useful course, especially for educators new to teaching these specific programming constructs.

Uses Snap, pencilcode.net, and Scratch.

"It was great to see these concepts taught using different block-based programming tools like Snap and Scratch."

"Exposing us to multiple platforms like Snap, Pencil Code, and Scratch is beneficial for educators."

"While using different platforms was interesting, switching between Snap and Scratch felt a bit disjointed at times."

Structured learning process minimizes frustration.

"The scaffolding process mentioned in the description really worked; I felt supported as I learned."

"Loved how the concepts built upon each other, making it easy to progress without getting overwhelmed."

"The assignments and activities were sequenced effectively."

"Felt like the course anticipated common difficulties and addressed them."

Includes focus on equity in CS education.

"The module on equity and pedagogy was a crucial addition and very insightful."

"Appreciated the focus on making CS instruction more equitable for all K-12 students."

"It's important that a course for educators addresses equity issues in the field."

"Learned about the history and importance of diversity in computing education."

Concepts presented clearly and easy to understand.

"The explanations of nested if statements and compound conditionals were very clear and easy to follow."

"Complex topics were broken down well, making them accessible even for beginners."

"I found the lectures and readings explained everything step-by-step."

"The course did a great job simplifying concepts that could otherwise be confusing."

Content directly applicable to K-12 teaching.

"This course gave me practical tools and knowledge I can immediately use in my computer science class."

"The examples used felt relevant to things K-12 students might encounter or build."

"Perfect course for K-12 teachers who need to teach these foundational programming concepts."

"Highly relevant content for integrating computational thinking into the K-12 curriculum."

Strong emphasis on teaching methods for K-12 students.

"I really appreciated the focus on how to actually teach these concepts to K-12 students, not just learning the code myself."

"The pedagogical tips, like how to run classroom discussions and help students debug, were incredibly helpful."

"This course is designed with educators in mind, providing concrete strategies for the classroom."

"Learned not just the content but also effective ways to convey it to my students."

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: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals with these activities:

Watch a video tutorial on nested if-else statements

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Watch a video tutorial on nested if-else statements. This will help you learn the basics of the concept in a clear and concise way.

Browse courses on Conditional Programming

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Find a video tutorial on nested if-else statements.
Watch the video tutorial.

Review nested if-else statements

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Review the concept of nested if-else statements. This will help you understand how to control the flow of your programs in more complex scenarios.

Browse courses on Conditional Programming

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Read the course materials on nested if-else statements.
Complete the practice exercises on nested if-else statements.
Create a simple program that uses nested if-else statements.

Review Boolean logic

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Review the basics of Boolean logic to build a solid foundation for understanding nested if/else statements and compound Boolean conditional expressions.

Browse courses on Boolean Logic

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Define basic Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT)
Construct truth tables to evaluate Boolean expressions
Simplify Boolean expressions using laws of Boolean algebra

Nine other activities

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Discuss nested if-else statements with a peer

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Discuss nested if-else statements with a peer. This will help you solidify your understanding of the concept and get different perspectives on how to use it.

Browse courses on Conditional Programming

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Find a peer who is also learning about nested if-else statements.
Schedule a time to meet with your peer.
Discuss nested if-else statements with your peer.

Solve nested if-else statement problems

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Practice solving problems using nested if-else statements. This will help you develop your problem-solving skills and improve your understanding of how to control the flow of your programs.

Browse courses on Conditional Programming

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Find a set of nested if-else statement problems to solve.
Solve the problems using nested if-else statements.
Check your solutions against the provided answer key.

Explore nested if/else statements

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Follow guided tutorials to gain hands-on experience in using nested if/else statements to control the flow of execution in programs.

Browse courses on Nested if/else Statements

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Identify scenarios where nested if/else statements are appropriate
Code examples to implement nested if/else statements
Debug and analyze the behavior of nested if/else statements

Practice compound Boolean conditionals

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Engage in repetitive exercises to reinforce understanding of compound Boolean conditionals and how to combine them to evaluate complex conditions.

Browse courses on Logical Operators

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Write Boolean expressions using AND, OR, and NOT operators
Simplify compound Boolean expressions
Apply compound Boolean conditionals in programming exercises

Create a tutorial on nested if-else statements

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Create a tutorial on nested if-else statements. This will help you solidify your understanding of the concept and help others learn about it.

Browse courses on Conditional Programming

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Write a detailed outline of your tutorial.
Create the content for your tutorial.
Record yourself presenting your tutorial.
Edit and publish your tutorial.

Design a simple game using nested if/else statements

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Apply knowledge of nested if/else statements to create a simple game, solidifying understanding and fostering creativity.

Browse courses on Game Development

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Define game rules and mechanics
Design a flowchart or pseudocode to represent the game logic
Implement the game using nested if/else statements
Test and debug the game

Develop a program that uses nested if-else statements to control the flow of the program

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Develop a program that uses nested if-else statements to control the flow of the program. This will help you apply your understanding of nested if-else statements to a real-world problem.

Browse courses on Conditional Programming

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Identify a problem that you can solve using nested if-else statements.
Design and implement a program that solves the problem.
Test and debug your program.
Deploy your program and make it available to others.

Develop a tutorial on debugging nested if/else statements

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Create a comprehensive tutorial to help students learn how to debug nested if/else statements, promoting self-reliance and problem-solving skills.

Browse courses on Debugging

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Identify common errors in nested if/else statements
Develop step-by-step debugging strategies
Write clear and concise instructions for debugging
Test and refine the tutorial

Contribute to an open-source project involving nested if/else statements

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Participate in an open-source project to gain real-world experience in using nested if/else statements, collaborating with others, and contributing to the software community.

Browse courses on Software Development

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Identify an open-source project that uses nested if/else statements
Review the project's codebase and documentation
Propose a change or improvement to the project
Implement the change or improvement
Submit a pull request and participate in code reviews

Career center

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

Computer Science Teacher

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for computer science teachers as it focuses on teaching these complex programming concepts in an engaging and scaffolded manner. Teachers may find the resources and strategies provided in the course helpful for their own instruction and for supporting their students' learning.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Science Teacher

Software Engineer

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for software engineers who are interested in improving their programming skills and understanding of conditional statements and compound Boolean expressions. The course provides a strong foundation in these concepts, which are essential for writing efficient and maintainable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Web Developer

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for web developers who are interested in improving their programming skills and understanding of conditional statements and compound Boolean expressions. The course provides a strong foundation in these concepts, which are essential for writing efficient and maintainable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Data Scientist

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for data scientists who are interested in improving their programming skills and understanding of conditional statements and compound Boolean expressions. The course provides a strong foundation in these concepts, which are essential for writing efficient and maintainable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Scientist

Business Analyst

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for business analysts who are interested in improving their programming skills and understanding of conditional statements and compound Boolean expressions. The course provides a strong foundation in these concepts, which are essential for writing efficient and maintainable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Project Manager

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for project managers who are interested in improving their programming skills and understanding of conditional statements and compound Boolean expressions. The course provides a strong foundation in these concepts, which are essential for writing efficient and maintainable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Product Manager

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for product managers who are interested in improving their programming skills and understanding of conditional statements and compound Boolean expressions. The course provides a strong foundation in these concepts, which are essential for writing efficient and maintainable code.

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Technical Writer

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for technical writers who are interested in improving their programming skills and understanding of conditional statements and compound Boolean expressions. The course provides a strong foundation in these concepts, which are essential for writing efficient and maintainable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Computer Programmer

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for computer programmers who are interested in improving their programming skills and understanding of conditional statements and compound Boolean expressions. The course provides a strong foundation in these concepts, which are essential for writing efficient and maintainable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Programmer

Systems Analyst

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for systems analysts who are interested in improving their programming skills and understanding of conditional statements and compound Boolean expressions. The course provides a strong foundation in these concepts, which are essential for writing efficient and maintainable code.

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Database Administrator

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for database administrators who are interested in improving their programming skills and understanding of conditional statements and compound Boolean expressions. The course provides a strong foundation in these concepts, which are essential for writing efficient and maintainable code.

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Network Administrator

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for network administrators who are interested in improving their programming skills and understanding of conditional statements and compound Boolean expressions. The course provides a strong foundation in these concepts, which are essential for writing efficient and maintainable code.

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Information Security Analyst

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for information security analysts who are interested in improving their programming skills and understanding of conditional statements and compound Boolean expressions. The course provides a strong foundation in these concepts, which are essential for writing efficient and maintainable code.

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Software Tester

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for software testers who are interested in improving their programming skills and understanding of conditional statements and compound Boolean expressions. The course provides a strong foundation in these concepts, which are essential for writing efficient and maintainable code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Tester

Quality Assurance Analyst

This course, Computational Thinking for K-12 Educators: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals, may be useful for quality assurance analysts who are interested in improving their programming skills and understanding of conditional statements and compound Boolean expressions. The course provides a strong foundation in these concepts, which are essential for writing efficient and maintainable code.

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Reading list

We've selected 15 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: Nested If Statements and Compound Conditionals .

Concrete Mathematics

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Provides a mathematical foundation for computer science.

Concrete Mathematics: A Foundation for Computer...

Kindle Edition

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