A Digital Age Skill for All

[space for presenters name, organization]

I am working on computational thinking issues.

I want to learn more about computational thinking.

I’m not sure about computational thinking.

Who is in the audience?

Critical Thinking + Computing Power = Making Decisions and Innovate Solutions

What is CT?

The number of computer science graduates declined 70% since the peak in 2001

There is a need to fill the skills gap to keep up with technology innovation

To maintain global economic competitiveness and national security

Why has the NSF Prioritized CT?

To accomplish the following goals:

Prepare young learners to become computational thinkers who understand how to use today’s digital tools to help solve tomorrow’s problems.

Help teachers envision the potential of CT across all disciplines and be willing to integrate CT in the classroom.

Why has CSTA and ISTE Prioritized CT?

The knowledge and skills that students need to know and be able to do by the time they graduate from secondary school.

CT for All Students

The CT Student

CT for All Teachers

All teachers are responsible for teaching skills, practice, and assessment of CT.

CT for All Teachers

Most teachers already incorporate CT basics, but may not know it.

CT for All Teachers

CT has a shared vocabulary that can be highlighted in lessons from every discipline.

CT for All Teachers

CT is made up of foundational building blocks of concepts, skills, and dispositions that get more sophisticated as students get older.

CT for All Teachers

CT doesn’t necessarily require computers.

CT Operational Definition

CT is a problem-solving process that includes (but is not limited to) the following characteristics:

Formulating problems in a way that enables us to use a computer and other tools to help solve them

Logically organizing and analyzing data

Representing data through abstractions such as models and simulations

CT Operational Definition

Automating solutions through algorithmic thinking

Identifying, analyzing, and implementing possible solutions with the goal of achieving the most efficient and effective combination of steps and resources

Generalizing and transferring this problem-solving process to a wide variety of problems

CT Operational DefinitionCT characteristics (cont.):

Dispositions or attitudes that are essential dimensions of CT:

Confidence in dealing with complexity

Persistence in working with difficult problems

Tolerance for ambiguity

CT Operational Definition

Dispositions or attitudes that are essential dimensions of CT (cont.):

The ability to deal with open-ended problems

The ability to communicate and work with others to achieve a common goal or solution

CT Operational Definition

Elementary school

Data collection

Algorithms and procedures

CT in the Classroom

Middle school

Problem decomposition

CT in the Classroom

High school

Abstraction

CT in the Classroom

CT Learning Experiences

CT Learning Experiences

CT Learning Experiences

CT Learning Experiences

CT Learning Experiences

CT Learning Experiences

CT Learning Experiences

Develop an understanding of CT

Highlight CT vocabulary, skills, and dispositions in your lessons

Extend current activities and lessons with CT

Engage and share with others who are new to CT

Teachers Take Action!

Use the CT Leadership Toolkit

Make a CT presentation to your colleagues or at a conference

Connect CT to school improvement efforts

Support teachers who want to learn more about CT

School Leaders Take Action!

Provide feedback on the session, the effectiveness of resources, and the kinds of the resources you’d like to see developed

Take the Understanding Computational Thinking survey:

Online: www.iste.org/CT-Survey

By Paper

Take Action Now!

CT Teacher Resources and CT Leadership ToolkitFor free download at www.iste.org/computational-thinkingComing Soon! CT database for links to research and other teacher resources.

CT Resources

For more information, contact:computational-thinking@iste.orgOrhttp://csta.acm.org/Curriculum/sub/CompThinking.htmlwww.iste.org/computational-thinking

Thank you!