Get on board with Computer Science & Computational Thinking

In a rapidly advancing digital era, the need for computer science education has never been more crucial. It's not just about learning to code; it's about fostering critical thinking, problem-solving skills, and preparing students for a future where technology is at the forefront of every industry.

Today, we're diving deep into the reasons why educators, parents, and policymakers are recognizing the value of bringing computational thinking into the curriculum and why computer science is more than coding.

 

The Rundown

00:36 - Moment of Zen 

Computations are everywhere, once you begin to look at things in a certain way. - Rudy Rucker

 

01:00 - ChatGPT changes in the news!

02:14 - What is Computer Science?

03:24 - What is Computational Thinking? - Computational thinking is an interrelated set of skills and practices for solving complex problems, a way to learn topics in many disciplines, and a necessity for fully participating in a computational world - Digital Promise Computational Thinking for Next Generation Science Toolkit

06:30 - In Michigan, and all over the US, there is a big focus on reaching all students with CS, especially those not currently well-represented in CS careers. Why is this important?

• Demographics show that 67% of AI specialists are white and 91% are men.
• https://advocacy.code.org/state-handouts/Michigan.pdf
• 2023 State of CS Report

08:42 - More than a Glitch - Meredith Broussard

09:30 - Vocational models, Micro-learning and Equity

12:41 - What is a "Foundational Computer Science Class" and why is it a baseline? - MI CS Standards

17:02 - TCAPS Computer Science Weeks - bit.ly/TCAPSCodes 

20:57 - Computer Science and Digital Citizenship

22:51 -  Tech Tool of the Week: https://www.csedweek.org/

 

Additional Resources to share: 

• CS Equity Guide (written for California, but useful for us as well) 
• CS Summit - 11/3/23 
• Copy of CS for MI 2023 Slide Deck - CS Leadership Summit
• IET Grant - Michigan - Copy of 2023-2024 Implementing Effective Use of Technology Grant Overview
• 99b Grant - Michigan -  99b Grant Criteria Overview

 

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Thank you so much for listening and inspiring!

 

Hosts: Danelle Brostrom, Larry Burden

Um and Ramble Editing: Larry Burden

 

Cover art created with help from Adobe Firefly.  

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