Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

The State of Computer Science report reveals progress and challenges in U.S. education

The 7th annual report on K-12 computer science in the United States dropped today. It provides an update on national and state-level computer science education policy, including policy trends, maps, state summaries, and implementation data. I had the chance to speak with Sean Roberts, VP of US Strategy from Code.org and get a pre-brief before today’s release. Sean underscores the report’s findings including the significant growth in the number of schools offering computer science courses, emphasizes the importance of foundational computer science education, and outlines the challenges, including the persistent gender gap in the field. Dig in to the whole report here. Scroll down for some takeaways and data highlights.

Key Takeaways:

  • Remarkable Growth: The report reveals a substantial increase in the number of schools offering computer science courses across the country since 2018, demonstrating a growing recognition of the subject’s importance.
  • Importance of Foundational Education: Foundational computer science education encompasses a focus on programming, algorithms, and broader concepts related to computing. It aims to empower students to be not just consumers but creators of technology, with a deep understanding of its impact on society.
  • Gender Gap Challenge: The report addresses the persistent gender gap in computer science participation, with young women representing only around 30% of students in computer science courses. However, states that have made computer science a graduation requirement have seen significant increases in female participation, highlighting the potential for bridging this gap.
  • Professional Development for Teachers: To meet the increasing demand for computer science education, many teachers who did not initially specialize in the field are being upskilled. The report emphasizes the importance of supporting existing teachers to provide high-quality computer science education and creating a pipeline of future computer science educators.
  • Graduation Requirements: Making computer science a graduation requirement is a complex process that varies by state and district. The report recommends flexible approaches and multi-year implementation pathways to ensure a smooth transition and alignment with existing graduation requirements.
  • Future Prospects: The report predicts that, in the next three to four years, more states will make computer science a graduation requirement, leading to increased access for students and the closing of gender gaps in the field. It envisions a future where every K-12 student in the US has exposure to computer science, preparing them for the age of AI and beyond.

Highlights related to access and participation: …Read More

How to integrate a computer science curriculum into K-5 classrooms

Key points:

  • Although a majority of teachers believe computer science education is critical, the subject isn’t required–or even offered–nationwide
  • Introducing computer science at an early age equips students with the skills and confidence to be curious in STEAM learning
  • See related article: 4 resources to differentiate computer science instruction

“I love it so much I would do it every day if we could!” These words are music to any teacher’s ears and I’m lucky enough to hear this sentiment from my students often. Since introducing a new computer science curriculum in 2019, my students at Redlands Unified School District have consistently shown engagement, genuine enthusiasm, and joy in learning.

Defining the importance of early computer science learning…Read More

CodeHS Launches Comprehensive, Easy-to-Use Computer Science Curriculum for Elementary

Chicago, Illinois – The significance of computer science education in schools is growing exponentially as it empowers children with the essential skills to navigate and excel in the digital world. While the emphasis on computer science curriculum is often placed on middle and high schools, the need for elementary students to acquire the skills necessary for success in a technology-driven world is becoming increasingly crucial.

CodeHS, a leading platform for K-12 computer science education, has launched a curriculum for elementary schools to fit seamlessly into a K-12 computer science pathway. With ready-to-go lessons, CodeHS makes teaching computer science simple even for elementary teachers who have never taught computer science before. Lessons include engaging student-facing videos that guide instruction, discussion questions, interactive activities, and practice.

Designed to fit the needs of any elementary school, CodeHS curriculum offers two K-5 pathways: Computer Science in Context and Computer Science in Focus. The In Context Pathway includes interdisciplinary lessons built to be incorporated into other parts of the school day- including ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies instructional time. The In Focus Pathway is designed for a dedicated computer science or technology class.…Read More

Codelicious Renames Itself Ellipsis Education to Reflect Curricula Beyond Coding

CARMEL, Ind. – Codelicious, a leader in computer science curriculum for K-12 education, has changed its name to Ellipsis Education in an effort to better represent the wide scope of its computer science offerings beyond coding.

“We’re excited to adopt a new name that more accurately reflects the breadth of computer science education,” said Dr. Whitney Dove, Vice President of Product at Ellipsis Education. “We chose Ellipsis because it evokes something in progress, something with momentum behind it, yet incomplete, just like computer science. It’s a field that’s ever-changing, and we’re proud to offer curricula that are also constantly evolving to reflect the industry and keep teachers abreast of the trends to ensure their students are prepared for a world that is also always in flux.”

Ellipsis Education’s mission is to remove barriers to teaching computer science. Regardless of their level of subject-matter experience, educators can use Ellipsis to effectively teach computer science. Ellipsis Education offers 13 full-year courses with detailed lesson plans, pacing guides, and standard maps. Every course includes four lesson types: unplugged, coding, digital citizenship, and STEM careers. Ellipsis also offers professional development workshops to encourage continuous learning.…Read More

What is computer science education lacking?

The evolving needs of the IT workforce are constantly discussed–even people who are far from it understand the constantly growing needs for computer science. And yet, U.S. high schools don’t consistently offer computer science education and IT classes.

Current situation

According to CSTA reports, a little over half (53 percent) of U.S. high schools offer a single computer science course–a fundamental subject critical to the nation’s economic and security health. Modest yet significant growth is being observed–in 2018 this index was 35 percent.…Read More

CoderZ Launches New Code Farm Coding and Robotics Course for Grades Four Through Six

DERRY, N.H. – When young students learn coding, they hone skills – such as computational thinking and collaboration – that enhance their success in school and future careers. CoderZ, an award-winning, cloud-based robotics and STEM platform, is helping educators introduce computer science in elementary and early middle school with its new Code Farm coding and robotics course for grades four through six.

Created for teachers and students with no prior experience in coding or robotics, Code Farm provides 45-60 hours of self-paced, gamified activities with real-time feedback and step-by-step instructions. The course offers a broad view of computer science education through a variety of lenses: engineering design, algorithms and coding, ethics and the social impact of technology, and more. The course is aligned with relevant standards frameworks, such as CSTA and NGSS, and includes extension opportunities for middle school classrooms.

Learners use the programming language Blockly to steer virtual robots through tasks such as collecting fruit, avoiding obstacles, and even planting a garden of their own design.…Read More

VHS Learning Reveals New Commitment to CSforALL Movement

Boston – At the 2022 CSforALL Summit, VHS Learning announced its plans to further expand student access to computer science education. The nonprofit revealed that it will offer free online computer science courses to fifty high school students in rural or underserved high schools. The nonprofit has also created a new beginner’s course on Python, one of the fastest growing computer programming languages.

A total of 180 organizations, up from 136 last year, disclosed commitments during the CSforALL summit, which took place October 19-21, 2022, in Memphis, Tennessee. CSforALL commitments are new, specific, and measurable actions aimed at advancing the goal of rigorous and inclusive computer science education for all U.S. youth. The commitments grow support and momentum for a sustainable K-12 computer science education system in and out of school. VHS Learning has been making annual commitments since the inception of the national CSforALL movement.

In addition to free enrollment in VHS Learning online computer science courses, sponsored students will receive all necessary course materials, and a student orientation. All VHS Learning’s computer science courses are led by teachers certified in their subject area.

Computer science courses in VHS Learning’s high school course catalog include:…Read More

4 predictions for computer science education in 2022

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, school districts across the country have seen an influx of funding for student devices, internet access, and a variety of edtech tools. While equity of access is still a challenge in many communities, this new funding has advanced a unique opportunity for schools to create pathways to computer science education, overcoming some of the challenges that made it inaccessible to many students in the past.

When combined with many states’ adopting new computer science standards, the pandemic has the potential to accelerate K-12 computer science education across the country. Some schools will find it difficult to fit new computer science into an already busy daily schedule.

But there’s a fix! Educators across the country are working on curriculum to integrate computer science into core content areas, alleviating the problem of where to fit a new computer science course into the busy school day. Computer science education is also being used as a tool for gauging social emotional learning. When computing devices become available to all students, it becomes equally important for districts to have a plan for the types of programming environments and platforms students will use as they build CS skills across the grades. Computer science is quickly becoming another tool, like the pencil and paper, that students use to express themselves and to demonstrate mastery of content in unique ways. Here’s where I see these trends going in the new year.…Read More