By Kim Jones, CEO, Curriki

Curriki has developed, with support from AT&T, a free professional development course in Computational Thinking.

In a 2006 article, entitled Computational Thinking, Jeanette Wing argued that “computational thinking …represents a universally applicable attitude and skill set everyone, not just computer scientists, would be eager to learn and use.. To reading, writing, and arithmetic, we should add computational thinking to every child’s analytical ability.”

While learning to code is popular right now, the thinking skills behind developing code are also critically essential for careers that don’t involve writing code. Computational Thinking is a set of skills and a process that can lead to a much better understanding of computing.

Computational Thinking defined

Computational Thinking (CT) involves some familiar concepts, such as problem decomposition, data representation, and modeling. CT can, but does not necessarily involve computers. When applied to computer science and coding, CT enables you to work out exactly what to tell the computer to get it to do what you want it to.
It means thinking logically, algorithmically and with the ability to apply mathematical concepts. And it means understanding concepts of scale and abstraction.

Benefits of Computational Thinking

If students are to develop a deeper conceptual understanding of how technology actually works, we should teach principles and theory, and how technology can be used to solve problems. CT means solving problems and designing systems in a way that draws on concepts fundamental to computer science.

CT is learning to think in ways which allow us to solve problems more effectively, and when appropriate, to use computers to help us do so. CT is important because it:

• Provides a framework to develop critical thinking across different fields

• Incorporates both creativity and efficiency into problem solving

• Allows students to interact with content-specific models and simulations (e.g., ecosystems, epidemics, molecular dynamics) to support learning and research

• Leads to IT fluency as opposed to IT literacy—moving students beyond being users of tools and information to becoming creators of tools and information (21st century skills)

• Develops job skills that lead to greater income

• Helps non-computer science people learn how to take advantage of the power of, and understand the limitations of, computers

• Applies to all subject areas—and allows students to advance

• Doesn’t require changing curricula or new technologies

A skill set in problem solving using Computational Thinking opens doors for anyone in any area. Curriki is making computer science education possible for all students regardless of zip code and empowering them will skills that will be critical to the jobs of today and tomorrow.

 

Free professional development training

Curriki is providing free professional development training in Computational Thinking for middle and high school teachers, with support from AT&T.

“We want to help all students develops the skills to succeed in school and the careers of the future. Ensuring educators have the resources and tools they need to teach those skills is a critical step in making this happen,” said Nicole Anderson, assistant vice president of Social Innovation at AT&T.

Curriki, the Open Educational Resources Library and Community, is offering a self-paced professional development course for K-12 teachers interested in learning how to infuse Computational Thinking (CT) into their classes.

• The CT professional development course is free and available on the Curriki website: library.curriki.org/oer/Computational-Thinking-Resources

• Created primarily for teachers at the middle school and high school levels, all K-12 educators will benefit from taking the course.

• Any teacher can take the course, including homeschool teachers.

• The self-paced online course provides teachers with a comprehension of CT and with the tools they need to get started right away.

• This self-paced course provides flexible professional development opportunities for educators who can work at their own pace and time frame.

• Teachers will examine the components of CT and explore how to introduce CT skills to their students.

• The concepts of CT may be applied to current curriculum, project-based learning (PBL) projects, and STEM classes.

• CT can be used to solve problems in any area or field.

• Problem solving through CT is such a critically important skill it is directly or indirectly addressed by several sets of educational standards including:

o Computer Science Teachers Association K-12 Computer Science Standards

o Next Generation Science Standards

•  AT&T generously funded the development of this course.

We encourage you to take benefit of this free professional development course in Computational Thinking from Curriki.