Welcome to an exciting journey in professional development! My name is Hadi Partovi, and I am the founder and CEO of Code.org, as well as the creator of the international Hour of Code movement. I am thrilled to welcome all of you who are participating in our professional learning initiatives. We are incredibly proud of the tens of thousands of educators like you who have joined the global effort to integrate computer science into school curricula worldwide.
At Code.org, we believe that our professional learning experiences empower educators to advance a mission of equity. Our vision is that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science as part of their core education. Access to high-quality computer science education is a crucial equity issue. Why is this important? Because computer science is not just about coding; it encompasses critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration—skills that are essential for success in education and various careers, both within and outside the tech industry. Moreover, students consistently report that computer science is one of the subjects they most enjoy.
Despite its importance, high-quality computer science education is not yet accessible to all students. Discrepancies in access often align with race, gender, or income level. Educators like you play a vital role in supporting equity in computer science. At Code.org, we have invested in developing equity-focused computer science curricula and professional learning experiences to support you in this essential work. Thank you for being part of this movement.
As you embark on this journey, you might feel intimidated by the prospect of teaching a new subject area. My advice is to embrace that feeling and recognize that tens of thousands of teachers are in the same position. The best way to handle this intimidation is to be open with your students about it, showing them how to be lifelong learners. By the time they reach your age, they will also need to continue learning to keep up with new technology.
The transformation happening in classrooms across America, with the inclusion of computer science in the curriculum, would not be possible without the dedication of educators like you. You have chosen to participate in workshops, learn new skills, and overcome any intimidation, recognizing the importance of this knowledge for your students.
We understand that educators come to our professional learning experiences for various reasons. You may be expecting to delve into the curriculum and learn everything necessary about computer science. Rest assured, this experience will support you in learning about computer science and the curriculum, with a strong focus on equity in all our activities.
Ultimately, we all play a critical role in making equitable computer science education a reality for our students. We are excited to work with you to explore the opportunities we have to achieve this goal. Thank you for your commitment and dedication.
Take some time to reflect on your personal experiences with computer science education. Write a journal entry discussing your thoughts on the importance of equity in computer science and how you can contribute to this mission in your teaching practice.
Work with a group of peers to design a workshop session that addresses the challenges of access and equity in computer science education. Focus on creating engaging activities that highlight critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
Analyze a case study of a school that successfully integrated computer science into its curriculum. Identify the strategies used to overcome challenges related to access and equity, and discuss how these strategies can be applied in your own educational context.
Engage in role-playing scenarios where you and your peers act out situations involving common challenges in teaching computer science. Practice responding to these challenges with solutions that promote equity and inclusivity.
Develop a project plan for integrating a new technology tool into your classroom that supports computer science learning. Consider how this tool can be used to enhance student engagement and ensure equitable access for all students.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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The sloth will clap high when we press down, the bear will do double down, and we’ll press space. It can’t. Okay, that’s a lot of commands at once, but we can do it.
[Music]
Hi, my name is Hadi Partovi, and I’m the founder and CEO of Code.org and the creator of the international Hour of Code movement. I want to welcome all of you who are participating in our professional learning. We are so proud of the tens of thousands of educators like yourselves who have joined the global movement to bring computer science to be part of school curricula worldwide.
At Code.org, we believe that our professional learning experiences empower educators to advance a mission of equity. Our vision is that every student in every school should have the opportunity to learn computer science as part of their core K-12 education. We also believe that access to high-quality computer science education is an important equity issue. Why? Because computer science is not just about coding; it involves critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration—all skills that are vital to education and careers in and out of the tech field. Students also consistently report that computer science is one of the subjects they most enjoy.
However, high-quality computer science education still isn’t available to all students, and the discrepancies in access often follow along lines of race, gender, or income level. Educators like yourselves play a vital role in supporting equity in computer science, and we at Code.org have invested in building equity-focused computer science curricula and professional learning experiences to support you all in this work. Thank you for being part of this movement.
[Music]
As you undertake this journey, I know that you may be feeling a sense of intimidation about teaching a potentially new subject area. My advice to you is to embrace that intimidation and recognize that there are tens of thousands of teachers like yourselves doing the same thing. We believe that the best way to handle this intimidation is to be upfront with your own students about it and let them know that you’re modeling how to be a lifelong learner. By the time they’re your age, they’ll also need to continue learning as they go and try to keep up with new technology.
The change that’s happening in America’s classrooms and the embracing of computer science in the curriculum wouldn’t be possible without the sacrifices of many educators like yourselves deciding to go through workshops to learn something new, overcome that intimidation, and recognize that this is important for your students.
Finally, we understand that educators like yourselves come to our professional learning experiences for a wide range of reasons. We understand that you’re likely expecting to spend some of your time with us diving into the curriculum and learning everything you need to know about computer science. This experience will absolutely support you in learning about computer science and this curriculum, and we’ll present it in a way that allows us to keep equity at the forefront of our thoughts and activities.
Because at the end of the day, we all play a critical role in making equitable computer science education a reality for our students, and we’re excited to work with you to consider the opportunities we have to do so. Thank you.
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This version maintains the core message while removing any informal or unclear elements.
Computer Science – The study of computers and computational systems, encompassing both hardware and software, as well as theoretical and practical aspects of computing. – Many universities offer comprehensive computer science programs that cover topics from algorithms to artificial intelligence.
Coding – The process of writing instructions for a computer to execute, typically using a programming language. – Mastering coding can open up numerous career opportunities in the tech industry.
Educators – Individuals who provide instruction or education, often specializing in a particular subject such as computer science. – Educators are increasingly incorporating coding into their curriculum to prepare students for future careers.
Equity – Ensuring fair access to resources and opportunities, particularly in education and technology, regardless of background or socioeconomic status. – Promoting equity in computer science education helps bridge the digital divide.
Curriculum – A structured set of educational experiences provided by an institution, often including specific courses and content in computer science. – The new curriculum includes advanced coding classes to meet industry demands.
Learning – The process of acquiring knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching, particularly in the context of computer science and technology. – Online platforms have revolutionized learning by providing access to coding tutorials and resources.
Technology – The application of scientific knowledge for practical purposes, especially in industry, including the development and use of computers and software. – Advances in technology have transformed how we approach problem-solving in computer science.
Skills – The ability to perform tasks and solve problems, often acquired through training or experience, especially in coding and computer science. – Developing strong programming skills is essential for a successful career in software development.
Access – The ability to obtain or make use of something, particularly technology and educational resources in the field of computer science. – Ensuring access to high-speed internet is crucial for students learning coding remotely.
Creativity – The use of imagination or original ideas to create something, often seen in the development of innovative software solutions. – Creativity in coding can lead to the development of groundbreaking applications and technologies.
