This message was sent to ##Email##
|
|
|
|
|
The Huffington Post
Over the last few years, successful marketing campaigns such as Hour of Code and Made with Code have helped K-12 students become increasingly aware of the power and relevance of computer programming across all fields. In addition, there has been growth in developer bootcamps, online "learn to code" programs. Most educators agree that basic application and internet skills (typing, word processing, spreadsheets, web literacy and safety, etc.) are fundamental, and thus, "digital literacy" is a part of K-12 curriculum. But is coding now a fundamental literacy, like reading or writing, that all K-12 students need to learn as well?
READ MORE
edSurge
It's no secret that computer science courses are not a priority in many high schools. Across the nation, many schools get away with packaging courses that teach kids to make Powerpoints, spreadsheets and other rudimentary work as "computer science."
But when authentic CS is offered, it's often in the form of the notoriously difficult and intimidating Advanced Placement courses, whose culminating test only a tiny fraction of students around the nation take and pass.
READ MORE
By Archita Datta Majumdar
 K-12 public education is funded by federal, state and local governments in the United States. While the federal government contributes about 10 percent to the total amount, local taxes make up for the bulk of the fund, about 40-50 percent. The Great Recession resulted in significant budget cuts across the country. However, as the economy is bouncing back, administrators, parents and teachers alike have run out of patience and are pushing for aggressive funding expansion.
READ MORE
eSchool News
When organizers of a summer camp that includes a number of disadvantaged high-school girls asked about career plans, none of the girls talked about computer programming — work that pays well and has a shortage of women. Now five are learning basic programming and 15 are in level 2 of the 7-week program created by a national nonprofit called Girls Who Code and taught at a church near Shreveport's airport in northwest Louisiana.
READ MORE
Edutopia
Introducing computer programming to your kids can be a challenge, especially for those who aren't familiar with the nuances of code. Fortunately, in the last few years, a number of apps, software, and guides have been produced that make the often-complex subject of computer coding easy to grasp for young learners. So where to begin? These are a few resources that parents can share with their kids to help them start learning about programming.
READ MORE
Chicago Tribune
Maybe you recall the Verizon commercial that follows a young girl as she's growing up. Samantha takes a keen interest in activities like wading in a stream and building a rocket ship; activities that explore science, technology, engineering and math fields. Yet she's discouraged from pursuing those interests by the folks around her with comments like "Why don't you hand that to your brother" or "Don't get your dress dirty." It concludes with a thoughtful question: Isn't it time we told her she’s pretty brilliant, too? Not only does the commercial tug at your heart strings but it ends with an alarming statistic that 66 percent of fourth-grade girls say they like science and math, but only 18 percent of all college engineering majors are female.
READ MORE
eSchool News
A small study recently conducted by the Computer Science Teachers Association found a dearth of valid and reliable assessments for measuring student learning in computer science education.
The survey, released during CSTA's annual conference, highlights the challenges high school teachers face when examining student understanding of computing concepts and identifying current models for computer science assessment.
READ MORE
Tech Crunch
According to the National Center for College and Career Transitions, about 20 percent of careers — and many of the fastest growing areas — directly relate to science, technology, engineering and math.
But by one count, an insufficient number of students today will pursue STEM careers. So how do we convince students that STEM is important even if they don't think they will pursue a career in a related field?
READ MORE
Education World
STEM seems to be the main acronym that arises when speaking about the future of K-12 education. However, one columnist is making an argument for an added concentration in art, or "STEAM".
"Certainly the U.S. needs to keep its technical edge, and to qualify for skilled positions that are plentiful in the 21st century, the worker of the future will need to be fluent in math, science, and technology as we move to fill shortages in exploding areas like data engineering," says Robert Buchsbaum, The Detroit News columnist and CEO of Blick Art Materials.
READ MORE
|
Missed last week's issue? See which articles your colleagues read most.
|
|
Don't be left behind. Click here to see what else you missed.
|
|
|
|
7701 Las Colinas Ridge, Ste. 800, Irving, TX 75063
|
