Having recently passed the one-year mark since we started our major pandemic pivot, I thought a little retrospective might be in order. I'd suggest the major theme for this past year has been learning. I was a fairly new computer science (CS) coordinator at the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) in March 2020. I'd say I knew I had a lot to learn, but I. Had. No. Idea. How. Much.
Think about it. We've all figured out Zoom, Loom, Google (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Jam Boards, Hangouts, and the dreaded Drive [how to organize all those files]), Canvas, Screen Recording and Capture, Microsoft Teams, and goodness knows what other specialty platforms we have for our content fields (trust me, CS has a ton). We dove into distance learning, deeper into social and emotional learning (SEL), farther with equity, culturally responsive teaching, English language development, literacy, special needs and Universal Design for Learning, global competency, deep(er) learning, systems thinking and improvement science. Yeah, I'd say that was diving into the deep end without floaties! And along the way, we taught other people how to do these things.
Take some time this spring to inventory your experiences. What new assets do you have? What worked, what didn’t, and why? As many of us step into the next pivot to hybrid or full-room teaching, we should take some time to consider which components of the past year should be kept. Think on how you can blend the best new experiences with your previous practice. You can come out a stronger professional through this adversity. You’ve changed. Trust me, and so have your students!
Here at the SDCOE Computer Science team, our goal is to be informative, accessible, approachable, and of service. The team has shifted recently and we wish Kathy Bowman all the best in her new position, while we also welcome a new assistant to the team, Maria Hynes. Maria is well-prepared for her role and already a valued member of our team. If you’d like more up-to-the-minute CS news and events, connect with us on Twitter at @CSinSD. You can also find more information on the SDCOE computer science webpage. More direct inquiries can be made to mark.lantsberger@sdcoe.net or maria.hynes@sdcoe.net. If you have comments or suggestions for future issues, please fill out this Google form.
Know someone who might enjoy what you’re reading? Please share this link so others can sign up for future issues of Bit Blast!. SDCOE Computer Science Coordinator
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Code.org Releases Data Tool for AP Demographic Data
Code.org released a data tool regarding Advanced Placement (AP) CS exams taken and demographic information. The tool allows you to visualize demographics by test type and state versus overall student demographics. It's a very informative tool and could also be used for a cool data comparison project. Any math or social science teachers out there could find it helpful.
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CISC CS Subcommittee Releases ABLE
As we step into blended and hybrid environments, the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association Curriculum and Instruction Steering Committee (CISC) CS subcommittee has released a new resource called Accessing Blended Learning Education (ABLE). This “digital notebook” is a culmination of ideas/resources tied to The Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning, the International Society for Technology in Education, and the National Standards for Quality for online learning. It’s a great repository of best thinking around digital learning in the distance, blended, and in-person models. A great resource for all teachers and you can find it here.
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CSTA Career Center
The Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) is now offering the CSTA Career Center. The career center is available for all members to look for jobs, post roles, get resume help, and more. Find and hire CS teachers with a national search. Post your job, or your institution’s job, where the industry’s most qualified CS professionals go to advance their careers. CSTA membership is required.
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Summer of CS is Coming!
CSforCA and the Sacramento County Office of Education are once again offering the Summer of CS program. It kicks off June 17 and offers learning opportunities for teachers, counselors, and administrators in a virtual experience. Visit their website for more information.
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Strategies for Effective and Inclusive CS Teaching
With a new cohort starting in September, this seven-week Canvas-based learning will train teachers to look for and adopt inclusive practices in Computer Science Education systems. With sections on culturally responsive pedagogy, intersectionality, and teaching for neurodiverse learners, teachers will learn to challenge their own practices and the systems around them to advocate for equitable CS experiences. The course is offered through the University of Texas and 24 CPE units are available. Email Mark Lantsberger to pre-reserve your spot.
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This section spotlights CS educators, administrators, and organizations making a difference for their students. If you have a CS hero in your system, tell us about them using this Google form for possible inclusion in a future edition of Bit Blast!.
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Repl.it moves to Replit.com and expands education offerings
The folks at Replit keep pushing the envelope. This online compiler currently works in over 50 languages (and keeps growing) and they’ve added some new features recently to make the experience easier for teachers and students. Check out the cool “multiplayer” repl, (image at right) a place where groups can instantly see each other's changes and work collaboratively in real time. A great way to spark in-class discussions and have students demonstrate to each other what they’re learning. Check out the blog.
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Integrated Distance Learning Units of Study
The SDCOE Curriculum and Instruction department developed distance learning curriculum as supplemental units for grades K-12. The best part is that every grade level has CS included. Grades K-5 work on an integrated model and include lessons and activities from California standards for core subjects and the arts to English language development, science, history/social studies, computer science, and physical education. Grades 6-12 are thematic units with each discipline covering its content but also addressing a unifying concept or question across fields. New units continue to be developed, so check back monthly. Another fun opportunity is the CS page from the Learning at Home Bingo series, which was a partnership between SDCOE and The San Diego Union-Tribune to get low-tech or tech-free learning activities to students at the beginning of the pandemic.
Perusall
How often have you wondered if your students are really doing the reading you assign to them? What if students had a way to log their thoughts about what they're reading and get insights into what their classmates are thinking? Wouldn’t it be nice if, as a teacher, you could get a “confusion report” generated by your students’ responses before you start class discussions? Check out Perusall. Developed at Harvard, this free tool allows you to do all the things described and is a great help in advancing student engagement and literacy. |
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This section contains information about CS community groups and their gatherings. If you’d like to share an upcoming event or happening with Bit Blast!, please fill out this Google form.
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TritonHacks: Hackathon for High School Students
TritonHacks is a hackathon for high school students from underserved communities in San Diego, organized by a group of students at UC San Diego. The goal is to create more opportunities for students from schools that lack access to resources in computer science and engineering. View the flyer for more information .
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Grading for Equity
Have you ever been at the end of a term, looked over your grade book and thought to yourself, “That can’t be right!” when looking at a particular student's grade? Have you ever wondered, “Why are so many students begging for extra credit?” Have you considered what messages your score system actually sends to students and their families?
If you’ve been in the classroom for more than two weeks, you’ve certainly asked one or more of these questions. Grading for Equity by Joe Feldman could give you the framework needed to take a brave journey into authentically assessing your students' learning. You can even read the first chapter before buying . The journey won’t always be easy and sometimes this book may challenge what you currently believe, but some teachers have completely altered their pedagogy in light of what they learn within these pages. SDCOE is facilitating book clubs around this work. If you’re interested in the next cohort, especially from a CS perspective, email Mark Lantsberger with a request. Summer 2021 is the next expected start date.
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As we continue into an orange spring, let’s be certain to keep our own learning as educators toward the forefront of our thoughts. So many students and families are counting on us to be at our professional best to finish the year strong. Keep learning, keep stretching; you’ve got this! And with a little luck and perseverance, we’ll get to shake hands in person soon.
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If you have any questions or comments about the Bit Blast! newsletter, please contact Mark Lantsberger.
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Get up-to-the-minute information about what's happening at SDCOE and in our districts across the county. |
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