Alaska – Ellipsis Education

Now that you have explored the Alaska state computer science standards and understand the basics of computer science education, how can you get started? Perhaps you are new to teaching computer science and don’t know how to begin to focus your efforts. Perhaps you do have some experience and knowledge of the basics, but struggle with a curriculum progression that makes sense for your students. The pressure is on to deliver computer science knowledge to students that may know more than you! Luckily, there are a few baseline requirements that can help you create a computer science implementation plan.

The first part of your computer science implementation plan is your teachers. Finding passionate educators that will engage and learn alongside students is essential. Good news: your teachers do not have to have experience with computer science. Programming languages that come and go; there will always be something new on the horizon. One of the benefits of studying computer science is that having a strong foundation in certain concepts will be relevant for all languages and most applications going forward. Success in computer science is much more than just coding. It’s being a problem-solver, thinking critically, and having the ability to collaborate effectively with peers. Seeking growth in those essential skills is just as applicable for teachers as it is for students. There are many organizations that offer free educational events and communities for teachers interested in computer science. Furthermore, Ellipsis Education offers free professional development webinars that dive into different computer science subject areas.

Next, choose a curriculum that aligns with your school’s unique instructional strategy for computer science. There are multiple things to consider here.

1. Standards Alignment: You Want To Align With The Alaska K-12 Computer Science Standards, Which Includes Determining Which Lessons Cover The Standards, When They Will Be Taught, And Generating The Alignment Documentation.

2. Pacing: You Want To Establish Fidelity Of Instruction Across Class Periods, Classrooms, And Grade Levels. You Want A Consistent Curriculum For Your Teachers And Students That Is Tailored To Your Scheduling Needs.

3. Assessment Methods: Students Learn And Demonstrate Knowledge Differently, So You Want Multiple Ways To Gain Insight Into Your Classroom, Including Summative And Formative Assessments.

4. Lesson Plans: You Want To Make Sure That Lessons Within The Curriculum Are Scaffolded And Paced To Deliver Student Outcomes, And Empower Teachers To Create An Engaging Student Experience.

Finally, reflect on the values of teaching computer science. Our students are the most important consideration in any new program. You want to engage them, surprise them, and teach them the skills they need for their future. It is powerful to give students the opportunity to see a project come to life before their eyes. Enjoy watching your future computer science experts discover their potential!

Underneath “Related Articles” on this page, you can find other teaching computer science articles to help you on your journey.