Exploring Computer Science (Period 1)

Exploring Computer Science is a yearlong course consisting of 5 units, approximately 7 weeks each. Assignments and instruction are contextualized to be socially relevant and meaningful for diverse students. Units utilize a variety of tools/platforms, and culminate with final projects around the following topics: Computer Interaction; Problem Solving; Web Design; Programming; and Robotics.

Ethical and social issues in computing, and careers in computing, are woven throughout the six units. The proliferation of computers and networks raises a number of ethical issues. Technology has had both positive and negative impacts on human culture.

WHAT WE WILL DO:

• Find the beauty and joy of computing, designing, inquiry and problem solving

• identify ethical behavior and articulate both sides of ethical topics

• identify and describe careers in computing and careers that employ computing

• Research and deliver presentations on ethics, computer buying, portfolio reviews and current events

• Create an online digital portfolio using HTML, Dreamweaver and Computer Management System

• Create games and presentations using SCRATCH

• Build and compete in a Lego Robotics competition

• Write and update your resumes to be used with mentors and mock interviews

• Technical skills like programming, graphic design and animation, testing / debugging and other skills that are needed for working with computers but are also transferable to all types of industries.

• How to form and work in project development teams

• Understand the engineering cycle used to design games and solve various types of problems.

• Develop foundational knowledge in programming, animation, graphics, and computer software and hardware.

• Apply skills in Mathematics, Physics, English Language Arts, Social Science, and Entrepreneurship.

• Learn the twenty-first century skills of creativity, critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and technical expertise, which will increase employment capacity across the job market.

In this course you'll document everything you do on your digital portfolios. That is, you will post everything -- answers to reading questions, write-ups of hands-on tutorials, written responses to assigned articles, documentation of creative projects -- on your personal portfolio page. The portfolios will promote sharing -- you can learn from each other -- and will constitute a full record of what you've done in the course that you can refer back to during and after the course and share with your friends and family. Porfolios will be graded periodically during the semester.

All homework, lessons, and communication will be posted on Edmodo.com

1. A Google Account – this will link to you Edmodo account, used for saving and working in conjunction with other students on group projects.

2. CHECK EDMODO everyday. I will typically communicate to the class through Edmodo – through assignments, your reflections, comments and feedback provided for each grade. Here you will track your grade – it is in your hands.

3. Take responsibility for your learning: Participate in class, ask questions of both the

instructor and your classmates, seek extra help.

4. Project-Based Learning. This course uses Project-Based Learning (PBL), a pedagogy designed to engage students in the educational process. PBL frames learning in the context of real-world problems, and there is evidence that PBL improves retention while also developing problem solving, critical thinking, and group communication skills.

Class Participation: 

You will be called on in class to participate and share. I often will ask you to think out loud about a problem we are working on in class. Try to avoid saying, “I don’t know,” or “Go to someone else.” I highly value in-class contributions and “playing well with others.” It is a subjective part of your grade, but if you are a frequent contributor it will likely bump up your grade each quarter.

We will have several quizzes, ESPECIALLY early on in the year. The quizzes will typically recap the week’s lectures and lab work, i.e. there should be no surprises on quizzes. The quizzes will be through Edmodo – you will have three chances to reset your score and try again – you just have to message me that you want to try again.

You will be asked to occasionally write an opinion piece derived and extended from

something you journaled about in class, or from some program that you wrote. These will mostly take the form of web pages that you will post on your digital portfolio. Take your writing seriously.

Oral and Video Presentations 

There will be approximately three (3) oral and/or videotaped presentations of your creative projects during the semester. If time permits, these will be given in class. Although it may be necessary to some of these presentations in one or two evening sessions during the semester.