What is Computational Thinking? Essentially it is a problem-solving method, what makes it special is that it uses methods that a computer could execute. Many teachers are already teaching these skills, but learning how to integrate this explicitly into your content area can empower students to solve problems that previously seemed IMPOSSIBLE!
This year Ed Tech is launching a new learning opportunity for K-12 teachers who wish to learn more about CT in a self-paced instructor-led course. ISTE U: Introduction to Computational Thinking for Every Educator is an eight-week course is designed to increase your awareness of CT, provide an opportunity to experiment with integrations for the subject you teach and create a plan to incorporate into your curriculum.
Teachers interested in this course may sign up on True North Logic. Those who earn the course completion certificate through ISTE will earn 15 STEM clock hours and up to 15 hours of tech compensation. Additional sessions will be offered in February and June.
The brains behind this course are Heidi Williams and Mike Karlin, ISTE computational thinking experts.
Heidi Williams has over 25 years experience in education which include serving as language, science and mathematics teacher for grades 6-8, as well as roles as a differentiation specialist, technology integration specialist, instructional coach, gifted and talented coordinator, elementary principal and K-8 director of curriculum. She is the author of No Fear Coding and the accompanying website hosts many resources including free lessons from the book.
Mike Karlin is a Ph.D. candidate and associate instructor at Indiana University and has 6 years of K-12 teaching experience previously teaching Biology, Computer Science, and English. Mike also served as a Technology Integration Specialist, which he still stays connected to through The Ed Tech Roundup blog that focuses on providing teachers with reviews of apps and services.
If you have questions about this course offering please contact Valerie Buck buckv@issaquah.wednet.edu or Stephanie Olson olsons@issaquah.wednet.edu. We are both signed up to take the Fall session and would love for you to join us as we learn more about Computational Thinking!
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