My graduate class exploring computational thinking is coming to an end this week. As I finish this chapter of my Master’s in educational technology, I reflected on what I’ve learned about computational thinking since September and most importantly, how I can apply it to the classroom. Here’s an imaginary (somewhat cheesy) conversation with a colleague explaining WHY CT?! and advocating for it in all classrooms.
Me: Hi friend! It’s been tough teaching and living through a pandemic. How are you doing? Teacher: I’m okay… Good and bad days, just like my students. I recently heard someone mention teaching CT skills in my classroom to enrich learning. Do you know what that’s all about? Me: I do, actually! I’ve been spending the last year or so learning about computational thinking (that’s what CT means) and how to apply it to my classroom. You might be surprised that CT is involved in a lot more than just computer programming! Your students are probably using a lot of CT skills, or close to it right now. Teacher: Wait, really?! That’s sooo cool! Tell me more. Me: I’m so excited to share! First, let’s look at the definitions of eight terms. Understanding these will help you understand CT that much better.
Teacher: So I need a computer for everything? We don’t have one-to-one devices and scheduling time to use the computer lab is just a nightmare. Me: False! It may sound like you need to be teaching your students to program a computer, or at least be working on a computer in order to teach CT. But that’s entirely untrue! CT is present in every subject at every grade level…
Teacher: So computational thinking has nothing to do with a computer? Me: Well, also no. The examples above are unplugged. You can do lots of unplugged computer science lessons to teach CT. It’s a way of thinking, not only a way of doing. Eventually a student may write a computer program, but they can learn what an algorithm is without ever touching a keyboard. Teacher: You’re starting to interest me more, now. Where can I find an unplugged lesson to try out? Me: I teach elementary, so that’s my focus when I search. Code.org has lots, but it’s definitely not the only resource. One of my favorite unplugged lessons they share is this one on “Relay Programming.” It’s a great connection to physical education and coding sequences for elementary. It also has a warm up where the teacher models debugging and tools to use to de-escalate frustration (a social emotional skill kids can use lots of practice on). This activity gets kids moving, collaborating, and sequencing. It’s important to make connections to computers at the end, though, so that students realize that unplugged skills can be applied to “plugged in” environments and not think that it’s just about relay activities in PE class. Teacher: That’s awesome! I never would have put coding and PE together. What other subjects can I integrate with? Me: EVERYTHING! That’s what’s amazing. Computational thinking skills should be taught explicitly, but they don’t have to be taught only in a computer science class. It can be integrated into any core content, too. Here’s an example I created using a simulation for erosion with fourth graders and here’s a unit plan for tying animal stimuli and responses to algorithms. Kids can learn about their fourth grade science content and apply CT to demonstrate their understanding. Learning about simulation, students interact with a computer model. When they explore animal stimuli, they get to be the coders of the program themselves. It’s so important for ALL students to see themselves as programmers at a young age instead of thinking that’s an “adult thing” or “boy thing” or “___ thing.” Teacher: I am so excited to explore those resources and introduce my students to CT. Thank you! Me: My pleasure! It has been wonderful to learn about!
1 Comment
Katie Rich
12/14/2020 03:06:22 pm
Hi Sarah,
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Hi there!I'm Sarah! I have a passion for powerful teaching and lifelong learning. I am a 4th grade teacher turned instructional designer, and this is my blog documenting the journey. Click here to get in touch with me. Archives
February 2021
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