Teaching of Computer Science in Schools

Teaching of Computer Science in Schools

Prof. Dr. M. Anwar-ur-Rehman PashaChairman

Department of CS & IT University of Sargodha

Computing as a DisciplineComputer Engineering (CE)

focuses on computing hardware and associated computing aspects.

Computer Science (CS) focuses on computing theory, methodology, innovation, development (programming) of technologies and applications, and applying computing to new disciplines.

Information Systems (IS) focuses on applying computing in organizations and organizational information management.

Software Engineering (SE) focuses on developing large complex software systems.

Information Technology (IT) focuses on solving organizational computing challenges by integrating technologies into solutions and deploying and maintaining the solutions.

Computing: A Historical PerspectiveBefore 1990’s: Computer Science (CS), Computer

Engineering (CE), and Information Systems (IS)By 1990s: Software Engineering (SE)By the end of 1990s: Information Technology (IT)Emerging Disciplines:

“Computational-X”: Computational Mathematics, Computational Physics, Computational Finance, etc.

“X- Informatics”: Bio-Informatics, Dental-Informatics, Clinical-Informatics, Agro-Informatics, etc.

Five Reasons Why CS Learning is Critical for Students1. Thinking is Good for Thinking.

Computer Science promotes algorithmic thinking which involve sequencing, analysis, and testing processes in time and space. It helps students to develop their habits of problem-solving which help them in other domains as well.

Five Reasons Why CS Learning is Critical for Students (Cont.)2. Sustaining the Next Generation of

Creators and Innovators. Computers can engage students in creative play, innovation, and exploration through entertainment, communication, and social applications. Computing power and the skills to harness this power are the “Engines of Innovation”.

Five Reasons Why CS Learning is Critical for Students (Cont.)3. Empowering Students to Change the

World. Computer Science empowers students to apply their creativity and skills to solve problems. These learning experiences promote their perceptions of themselves as innovators capable of changing the world.

Five Reasons Why CS Learning is Critical for Students (Cont.)4. Preparing Students for Future

Endeavors. In a CS course students begin to master fundamental concepts and practices. The knowledge of these concepts and practices empower them to create innovations, tools, and applications.

Five Reasons Why CS Learning is Critical for Students (Cont.)5. Collaboration, Communication, and

Teamwork—Key 21st Century Skills. Computer Science promotes collaboration. Collaborative problem solving prepares students to work in teams and builds supportive partnerships.

Pedagogical Guide Lines- Before the start of the course consider: What

do you expect students to know? At what level? And where are the students expected to learn required knowledge and skills?

- Assume that students know nothing coming into the course

- Make students aware about the time-consuming nature of computing discipline

- Survey the class on their perceived knowledge of various computing concepts

Pedagogical Guide Lines (Cont.) - Don't forget the needs of the advanced

students. Introduce them to each other. Suggest more challenging work that they can explore.

- Must take care of Computing Labs (Open labs/Closed labs/ Frustrating labs. Remember Labs are new for students not for you.)

- Explicitly teach how to get onto the Internet, use electronic mail and the World Wide Web

Pedagogical Guide Lines (Cont.)

- Must be aware of “Tools vs. Toys" Approach: Some students look at computers as toys, others as tools. Some students want to play with computers but others want to do something useful with them.

- Computer science course usually aims to measure students improvement in logical thinking & problem solving skills. It must teach to the students “What should I do?” (ethics) and “How should we decide?” (politics), as well as, “What can I be certain of?” (knowledge).

Pedagogical Guide Lines (Cont.)Computer science can't be taught in the same manner as high

history, English, or even math. It requires: Create more interaction (give aid where needed ) Design activities which promote critical thinking skills and high-

order creativity Provide maximum practice opportunities Offer more exploratory hands-on activities Design in-class exercise to be fun Create engaging homework assignments Adopt easy-to-harder but interesting problem solving approach Introduce small-group exercises Less teaching (just lectures, reading or text-based assignments),

more stress on problem solving and skill development. Introduce interesting extra credit problems encourage a student to

practice computer science in her spare time

What is Expected from a CS TeacherKnowledgeHistorical development of computing disciplinesDifferent domains of computing disciplineHistorical evolution of computer and its

hardware, software componentsComputer science core body of knowledgethe knowledge and skills that students must

have to enable them to thrive in the 21st Century global information economy

Application of computers in society

What is Expected from a CS Teacher (Cont.)KnowledgeUse of social media and global knowledge

resourcesLegal, social, and ethical issues of computing in

societyCurrent Trend, Practices, and innovationsAddiction to computers and the Internet Advertising and censorship on the InternetDigital finger print and hacking on the Internet Plagiarism, privacy, security, and Internet

preying

What is Expected from a CS Teacher (Cont.)Pedagogical aspectsAcquaint with the aims and objectives of teaching

computer science in secondary and higher secondary schools

Ability to plan learning activities according to those objectives.

Having skills relating to planning lessons and presenting them effectively.

Familiarity with the various methods that can be employed for the teaching of computer science.

Understanding of the principles of curriculum construction.

Assessment and Evaluation skills

Instructional StrategiesLecturing Role Playing Jigsawing Activities Games The CS-unplugged

Approach, Rich Tasks Concept Maps Pair and Small-group

Collaboration Structured Tinkering

Multiple Solutions Modeling Simulations Multimedia

Presentations Journal Reflections Different Forms of

Class Organization Interdisciplinary

ConnectionsMentoring Software

Project Development

Caution: Awareness of DisabilityDisability is the consequence of an

impairment that may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental, or some combination of these.

A disability may be present from birth, or occur during a person's lifetime.

Caution: Awareness of DisabilityDisabilities is an umbrella term, covering

impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. An impairment is a problem in body function or

structure; an activity limitation is a difficulty encountered

by an individual in executing a task or action; while a participation restriction is a problem

experienced by an individual in involvement in life situations.

Ultimate Goal: Computational Thinking“CT is an approach to solving problems in a

way that can be implemented with a computer. Students become not merely tool users but tool builders”. It is a problem-solving process that includes:Formulating problems in a way that enables us

to use a computer and other tools to help solve them;

Logically organizing and analyzing data;

Ultimate Goal: Computational Thinking (Cont.)Representing data through abstractions such

as models and simulations;Automating solutions through algorithmic

thinking (a series of ordered steps);Identifying, analyzing, and implementing

possible solutions with the goal of achieving the most efficient and effective combination of steps and resources; and

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

Computational Thinking Dispositions Confidence in dealing with complexity;Persistence in working with difficult

problems;Tolerance for ambiguity;The ability to deal with open-ended problems;

andThe ability to communicate and work with

others to achieve a common goal or solution

Important Considerations

The student does not just passively take in knowledge, but actively constructs it on the basis of his/her prior knowledge and experiences.

Important Considerations (Cont.)The learning outcomes of any teaching depend not only on what the teachers do but also on the knowledge, the purposes, the motivations and the beliefs that the learners bring with them to the classroom.

Important Considerations (Cont.)Quality learning is most likely to happen when it is student-centred, because that is where the responsibility lies.

Any Question Please