An Introduction to Educational Computing

An Introduction to Educational Computing
Author: Nicholas John Rushby
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 128
Release: 2019-05-28
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1000022021

In both education and training, teachers are faced with many and varied problems relating to their teaching and their students’ learning. Educational technology, in its widest sense, provides teachers with methods and tools which, if properly used, can alleviate some of these problems. The computer is one such tool, offering, within certain limitations, some possible solutions. Originally published in 1979, this book describes the use of the computer as a resource and as a manager in education and training. It discusses the use, potential and limitations of this technology in helping the teacher and trainer. Beginning with a consideration of the role of the computer as a mediator in the flow of information between the student and his learning environment, the book goes on to look at Computer Assisted Learning from an educational viewpoint, the strength and weaknesses of a number of different media, and the problems of managing modular courses and course structures and handling information on students’ performance and progress. A chapter on informatics and education addresses the problem of what both teachers and students should know about computers, while the final chapter examines the practical problems of prompting and organising the appropriate use of this technology.

Computers in the Classroom

Computers in the Classroom
Author: Andrea R. Gooden
Publisher: Jossey-Bass
Total Pages: 232
Release: 1996-10-07
Genre: Computers
ISBN:

Since 1979, Apple Computer's Educational Grants program has provided computer equipment and training to schools through a nationwide competitive process. Computers in the Classroom tells the inspiring stories of some of these schools, showing how technology has revived the classroom. This illustrated book is an indispensable resource for teachers and parents, showing examples of students' work and with information on funding resources, technical support, software, and where to find electric and print data. 100 illus.

The Distributed Classroom

The Distributed Classroom
Author: David A. Joyner
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 361
Release: 2021-09-14
Genre: Education
ISBN: 026236655X

A vision of the future of education in which the classroom experience is distributed across space and time without compromising learning. What if there were a model for learning in which the classroom experience was distributed across space and time--and students could still have the benefits of the traditional classroom, even if they can't be present physically or learn synchronously? In this book, two experts in online learning envision a future in which education from kindergarten through graduate school need not be tethered to a single physical classroom. The distributed classroom would neither sacrifice students' social learning experience nor require massive development resources. It goes beyond hybrid learning, so ubiquitous during the COVID-19 pandemic, and MOOCs, so trendy a few years ago, to reimagine the classroom itself. David Joyner and Charles Isbell, both of Georgia Tech, explain how recent developments, including distance learning and learning management systems, have paved the way for the distributed classroom. They propose that we dispense with the dichotomy between online and traditional education, and the assumption that online learning is necessarily inferior. They describe the distributed classroom's various delivery modes for in-person students, remote synchronous students, and remote asynchronous students; the goal would be a symmetry of experiences, with both students and teachers able to move from one mode to another. With The Distributed Classroom, Joyner and Isbell offer an optimistic, learner-centric view of the future of education, in which every person on earth is turned into a potential learner as barriers of cost, geography, and synchronicity disappear.

Introducing Computing

Introducing Computing
Author: Lawrence Williams
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 129
Release: 2014-08-07
Genre: Education
ISBN: 131762565X

This timely new text provides an accessible introduction to teaching Computing, and computer programming. Specifically designed for non-specialists who need to develop new skills in Computing in order to meet the new curriculum requirements, it offers a useful guide to the subject, alongside worked examples of good practice. Packed full of practical advice, the book examines different approaches to introducing children from age 5 to Computing, and describes a wide range of tried and tested projects that have been proven to work in schools. Including case studies and a glossary of key terms, it covers: The key concepts in Computing and computational thinking Using personal learning networks, social media and the 'wiki curriculum' to develop higher thinking skills and desirable learner characteristics Links to the curriculum at Key Stages 1, 2 and 3 Practical ways to develop children’s Computing skills alongside creative writing, art and music Gaming and computer science Featuring a companion website www.literacyfromscratch.org.uk with extensive support materials, examples of pupils’ work, links to software and downloadable lesson plans, this is an essential text for all teachers and trainees who are responsible for the new Computing curriculum.

Preparing Pre-Service Teachers to Teach Computer Science

Preparing Pre-Service Teachers to Teach Computer Science
Author: Chrystalla Mouza
Publisher:
Total Pages: 282
Release: 2021
Genre: Computer science
ISBN: 9781648024573

"Computer science has emerged as a key driver of innovation in the 21st century. Preparing teachers to teach computer science, however, remains an enormous challenge as there are few highly qualified teachers who can teach computer science or integrate computer science content into K-12 curricula. To address this challenge, NSF established the CS10K program with the aim of preparing 10,000 teachers in 10,000 high schools teaching computer science curricula. While this effort is still under-way, there has not been a systematic attempt to capture the work done in this area. In order to prepare a generation of teachers who are capable of delivering computer science content to students, we must identify research-based examples, pedagogical strategies and policies that can facilitate changes in teacher knowledge and practices. The purpose of this project is to provide examples that could help guide the design and delivery of effective teacher preparation on the teaching of computer science concepts. This book identifies promising pathways, pedagogical strategies and policies that help pre-service and in-service teachers infuse computing ideas in their curricula as well as teach stand-alone computing courses. The book focuses on pedagogical practices for developing and assessing pre-service teacher knowledge of computer science, course design models for pre-service teachers, and discussion of policies that can support the teaching of computer science. The primary audience of the book will be students and faculty in educational technology, educational or cognitive psychology, learning theory, curriculum and instruction, computer science, instructional systems and learning sciences"--

Computational Thinking Education in K-12

Computational Thinking Education in K-12
Author: Siu-Cheung Kong
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 285
Release: 2022-05-03
Genre: Education
ISBN: 0262543478

A guide to computational thinking education, with a focus on artificial intelligence literacy and the integration of computing and physical objects. Computing has become an essential part of today’s primary and secondary school curricula. In recent years, K–12 computer education has shifted from computer science itself to the broader perspective of computational thinking (CT), which is less about technology than a way of thinking and solving problems—“a fundamental skill for everyone, not just computer scientists,” in the words of Jeanette Wing, author of a foundational article on CT. This volume introduces a variety of approaches to CT in K–12 education, offering a wide range of international perspectives that focus on artificial intelligence (AI) literacy and the integration of computing and physical objects. The book first offers an overview of CT and its importance in K–12 education, covering such topics as the rationale for teaching CT; programming as a general problem-solving skill; and the “phenomenon-based learning” approach. It then addresses the educational implications of the explosion in AI research, discussing, among other things, the importance of teaching children to be conscientious designers and consumers of AI. Finally, the book examines the increasing influence of physical devices in CT education, considering the learning opportunities offered by robotics. Contributors Harold Abelson, Cynthia Breazeal, Karen Brennan, Michael E. Caspersen, Christian Dindler, Daniella DiPaola, Nardie Fanchamps, Christina Gardner-McCune, Mark Guzdial, Kai Hakkarainen, Fredrik Heintz, Paul Hennissen, H. Ulrich Hoppe, Ole Sejer Iversen, Siu-Cheung Kong, Wai-Ying Kwok, Sven Manske, Jesús Moreno-León, Blakeley H. Payne, Sini Riikonen, Gregorio Robles, Marcos Román-González, Pirita Seitamaa-Hakkarainen, Ju-Ling Shih, Pasi Silander, Lou Slangen, Rachel Charlotte Smith, Marcus Specht, Florence R. Sullivan, David S. Touretzky

Computational Thinking Education

Computational Thinking Education
Author: Siu-Cheung Kong
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 377
Release: 2019-07-04
Genre: Education
ISBN: 9811365288

This This book is open access under a CC BY 4.0 license.This book offers a comprehensive guide, covering every important aspect of computational thinking education. It provides an in-depth discussion of computational thinking, including the notion of perceiving computational thinking practices as ways of mapping models from the abstraction of data and process structures to natural phenomena. Further, it explores how computational thinking education is implemented in different regions, and how computational thinking is being integrated into subject learning in K-12 education. In closing, it discusses computational thinking from the perspective of STEM education, the use of video games to teach computational thinking, and how computational thinking is helping to transform the quality of the workforce in the textile and apparel industry.

Best Ideas for Teaching with Technology

Best Ideas for Teaching with Technology
Author: Justin Reich
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 312
Release: 2015-02-18
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1317476034

This practical, how-to guide makes it easy for teachers to incorporate the latest technology in their classes. Employing an informal workshop approach, the book avoids technical jargon and pays special attention to the needs of teachers who are expanding the use of computers in their classrooms. The authors focus on what teachers do and how they can do it better, and provide a wide variety of proven tools, tips, and methods for enhancing these activities with technology."Best Ideas for Teaching with Technology" provides extensively illustrated tutorials for a wide variety of software, online tools, and teaching techniques. It covers everything from lesson plans, to time management, how to show animation, blogging, podcasts, laptop strategies, and much, much more. In addition, periodic updates to the text will be available on the authors' website.

Guide to Teaching Computer Science

Guide to Teaching Computer Science
Author: Orit Hazzan
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 306
Release: 2015-01-07
Genre: Education
ISBN: 1447166302

This textbook presents both a conceptual framework and detailed implementation guidelines for computer science (CS) teaching. Updated with the latest teaching approaches and trends, and expanded with new learning activities, the content of this new edition is clearly written and structured to be applicable to all levels of CS education and for any teaching organization. Features: provides 110 detailed learning activities; reviews curriculum and cross-curriculum topics in CS; explores the benefits of CS education research; describes strategies for cultivating problem-solving skills, for assessing learning processes, and for dealing with pupils’ misunderstandings; proposes active-learning-based classroom teaching methods, including lab-based teaching; discusses various types of questions that a CS instructor or trainer can use for a range of teaching situations; investigates thoroughly issues of lesson planning and course design; examines the first field teaching experiences gained by CS teachers.

Teaching Computational Thinking

Teaching Computational Thinking
Author: Maureen D. Neumann
Publisher: MIT Press
Total Pages: 201
Release: 2021-12-21
Genre: Computers
ISBN: 0262045052

A guide for educators to incorporate computational thinking—a set of cognitive skills applied to problem solving—into a broad range of subjects. Computational thinking—a set of mental and cognitive tools applied to problem solving—is a fundamental skill that all of us (and not just computer scientists) draw on. Educators have found that computational thinking enhances learning across a range of subjects and reinforces students’ abilities in reading, writing, and arithmetic. This book offers a guide for incorporating computational thinking into middle school and high school classrooms, presenting a series of activities, projects, and tasks that employ a range of pedagogical practices and cross a variety of content areas. As students problem solve, communicate, persevere, work as a team, and learn from mistakes, they develop a concrete understanding of the abstract principles used in computer science to create code and other digital artifacts. The book guides students and teachers to integrate computer programming with visual art and geometry, generating abstract expressionist–style images; construct topological graphs that represent the relationships between characters in such literary works as Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone and Romeo and Juliet; apply Newtonian physics to the creation of computer games; and locate, analyze, and present empirical data relevant to social and political issues. Finally, the book lists a variety of classroom resources, including the programming languages Scratch (free to all) and Codesters (free to teachers). An accompanying website contains the executable programs used in the book’s activities.