Witty.ca - Mr. Rich's Professional Archives - Computer Science Blog

Article: ‘Big data’ classes a big hit in California high schools

2/21/2018

Carolyn Jones, February 19, 2018 - Link to article

Data science — the study of computer-generated “big data” — is the hottest career in the U.S., according to Glassdoor. And now it’s the hottest math class at a growing number of California high schools.

About 30 high schools in California have started offering data science classes for juniors and seniors, in some cases as an alternative to Algebra 2. A hands-on blend of statistics and computer programming, data science meets the requirements of A-G coursework — the series of classes in English, math, science, foreign language, history and other core subjects necessary for admission to the University of California and California State University systems — and doesn’t require prior knowledge of computers or statistics.

Link to article

Article: Training the future workforce

2/21/2018

Kanoe Namahoe, February 20, 2018 - Link to article

How well are we preparing students for the workforce? As they head into their futures, do they have the right skills they need to make their mark?

Four veteran entertainment production professionals offered best practices for nurturing students toward career success during a panel discussion at this year's NAMM show and conference in Anaheim, Calif.

Link to article

Makerspaces: Lessons Learned

11/29/2016

"Better networking, securing grant funding, more PD time, increased support from administrators, and finding ideas for lesson plans are some of the biggest needs of educators using maker spaces, according to a new study released last month."

Sorry, I don't have the full article. If you have a subscription to EdWeek, you can read the full article here:

Study Profiles Maker-Space Educators and Their Needs
By Leo Doran on October 6, 2016 4:52 PM

New "K-12 Computer Science Framework" Released

10/25/2016

Yes, just 5 days ago, a consortium of computer science organizations, including the CSTA, launched the "K-12 Computer Science Framework". This is a blueprint for all grade levels!

Visit the site: www.K12CS.org

Watch the promo video on (YouTube or below).

Downloads (mirrored here):

5 Core Concepts and 7 Core Practices
Click to enlarge

Google CS (all from one site)

10/25/2016

Ever wondered where all of Google's "computer science education" materials were stored?

So did many other people! Google has now created a one-stop shop for all of their coding and curriculum materials. Start here!

Courses Online

4/27/2016

Here's an "aggregator" or list of computer courses available online (and other topics too).

https://www.edx.org/course/subject/computer-science

Survey finds most coders are self-taught

3/25/2016

Credit:ThinkStock

Is a teacher always necessary? It depends on the discipline. You'd be hard-pressed to teach yourself martial arts without a sensei, while three of the greatest guitarists who ever lived – Jimi Hendrix, Eddie Van Halen, and Stevie Ray Vaughn – were all self-taught.

You would think a seriously complex discipline like programming would also require formal training, but a new survey from Stack Overflow, which surveyed 50,000 programmers, found that very few have a lot of formal training.

... read full article ... [backup PDF]
... direct link to survey results ... [backup PDF]

"Why students are throwing tons of money at a program that won’t give them a college degree?"

3/25/2016

Subtitle: Online Coding "Boot Camps" vs a CS Degree

... Longtime tech recruiter Dave Fecak is worried about the push towards fast-paced, truncated coding programs. “We as a nation, as we talk about the STEM shortage, we’re fostering a gold rush mentality that leads to these bootcamps with the promise of employment, promise of strong employment with strong demand and stability and a lot of money,” he said. “And a lot of the people that may get coerced into signing up for these bootcamps may end up with a lot of debt and not a lot of job offers.” He likens the trend to throwing bodies at the problem rather than addressing the industry’s real need for highly skilled developers. ...

... read the full article ... [Backup PDF]

Should Computer Education Cover More Than Just Coding?

3/25/2016

LA Johnson/NPR

...But computers are not just about coding. There's also a lot of theory — and science — behind technology. And those theoretical concepts form the basis of much of computer science education in colleges and universities....

... read the full article ... [backup PDF]

What is Computational Thinking?

3/25/2016

2 Articles in one E-magazine!
So what really do we mean when we say, "Computational Thinking"?

Reclaiming the Roots of CT by Irene Lee
"There has been much debate about the definition of computational thinking (CT) and the relative merits of different definitions. In this article, I argue for a focused definition of CT that clearly distinguishes it from other forms of thinking."

CT Driving Computing Curriculum in England by John Woollard
"Computational thinking (CT) has come to the fore for many teachers in England with the advent of the new National curriculum in England: computing programmes of study in September 2013 (goo.gl/SklB9O). It is explicitly and thoroughly embedded in the curriculum for K–12. The first sentence states, 'A high quality computing education equips pupils to use computational thinking and creativity to understand and change the world.' "

... link to the full e-magazine ...