Middle School Computer Science

Durham Academy’s Computer Science Department worked on creating what we consider to be essential Digital Learning Transfer Goals. These goals are across content areas and should be woven into all areas of study.

Learners will be able to independently use their learning to:

• Demonstrate responsible, safe, legal, and ethical behaviors when interacting in an interconnected, digital world.
• Use technology to effectively advance learning.
• Use digital tools to effectively solve problems.
• Communicate and collaborate globally across media platforms

The classes will deploy the ISTE standards for learners as the guideposts for our intentional use of technology during the class. In addition, Computational Thinking will be the driving force behind the scope and sequence of the various Computer Science courses. Learning will be guided by Tinkering, Creating, Debugging, Persevering, and Collaborating.

Why we are teaching coding is as important as what we are teaching. Read more about why kids should learn to code from this article written by Jim Cash which is where the images if from.

Computational Thinking will be the driving force behind the scope and sequence of the various Computer Science courses. As the graphic below highlights, there are two distinct areas of Computational Thinking. 

As defined by Jeannette Wing (PDF), computational thinking is “a way of solving problems, designing systems, and understanding human behavior by drawing on the concepts of computer science.” View her discussion with CSTA in 2016 below or on YouTube.

Concepts relate to writing computer code but could/should as easily related to all core content areas. 

Approaches highlight the methods that can be used along with the dispositions needed.

As Chris Stephenson (Head of Computer Science Education Programs at Google) wrote in 2016 and quoted below.

Additional dispositions from this can include 

• confidence in dealing with complexity,
• persistence in working with difficult problems,
• the ability to handle ambiguity,
• the ability to deal with open-ended problems,
• setting aside differences to work with others to achieve a common goal or solution, and
• knowing one’s strengths and weaknesses when working with others.