When I embarked on my journey to teach computer science, I was already a seasoned math teacher with nearly a decade of experience. I felt confident in my teaching abilities and my rapport with students. However, computer science was a new frontier for me. Although I had studied it in college, it had been some time since then. I quickly realized that learning a subject and teaching it are two distinct challenges.
As I transitioned into teaching computer science, I discovered the value of being transparent with my students about my expertise—or lack thereof. It was crucial to foster an environment where we could all learn together. I encouraged curiosity and assured my students that it was perfectly fine to have questions. If I didn’t know an answer, we would explore it together. This approach differed from the traditional classroom setting, where learning targets are typically outlined at the start. In computer science, embracing uncertainty can be liberating, as it allows both teachers and students to be comfortable with confusion. Demonstrating this openness helps students understand that not having all the answers is part of the learning process.
Just as we encourage students to adopt a growth mindset, it’s equally important for teachers to embrace this philosophy. Acknowledging mistakes without fear is vital. When students see that errors are part of the learning journey and that we can grow from them, they are more likely to adopt the same attitude. As educators, we must be kind to ourselves, especially when venturing into new subjects like computer science.
With the right curriculum, you can achieve remarkable things while learning alongside your students. Reflecting on my first year of teaching computer science, I realized I knew only slightly more than my students. My background consisted of a few online puzzles and no formal programming courses. Embracing this shared learning experience was invaluable.
Teaching computer science is a collaborative problem-solving journey. It’s essential to communicate to your students that you are all navigating this path together. Engaging with students by sitting beside them and working through coding challenges can be incredibly rewarding. Embrace the opportunity to learn and solve problems together, making the experience enjoyable for everyone involved!
Write a reflective journal entry about a time when you embraced honesty and curiosity in your learning journey. Consider how this approach impacted your understanding and engagement with the subject. Share your reflections with a peer and discuss how you can apply these insights to your current studies.
Participate in a workshop focused on developing a growth mindset. Engage in activities that challenge your current skills and reflect on how mistakes can be valuable learning opportunities. Discuss with your peers how adopting a growth mindset can benefit your professional development.
Join a group coding challenge where you work alongside your peers to solve a complex problem. Emphasize the importance of learning together and sharing knowledge. Reflect on how this collaborative approach enhances your problem-solving skills and fosters a supportive learning environment.
Prepare a short lesson on a computer science topic you are passionate about and teach it to your classmates. Encourage questions and foster a collaborative learning atmosphere. Reflect on how teaching others can reinforce your own understanding and highlight areas for further exploration.
Create a visual map of your learning journey in computer science, highlighting key moments of discovery, challenges, and growth. Share your map with the class and discuss how embracing uncertainty and learning alongside others has shaped your educational experience.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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When I started teaching computer science, I had been a math teacher for almost 10 years, so I was very comfortable in the classroom, with students, and with my content. Computer science, however, was a different story. I had taken computer science in college, but that had been a few years ago. Learning something and teaching it are two different things.
As I transitioned to the computer science classroom, I learned that being honest with my students about not being an expert was important. We could all learn together, and it was okay to have questions. Curiosity is something we should embrace, and if I didn’t know the answer, we would find it together. In a traditional classroom, you state the learning targets at the beginning and then do the work, but a computer science classroom can be different. Although that approach can be scary, it takes the pressure off because you’re allowed to be confused. Modeling that confusion for students shows them that it’s okay to not have all the answers.
In addition to students having a growth mindset, I hope that you, as a teacher, also embrace that mindset for yourself. When you make a mistake, don’t be afraid to acknowledge it. When students see that mistakes are embraced and that we learn from them, they will feel encouraged to do the same. It’s important to have grace for yourself as a teacher, especially if you don’t have much experience in computer science.
I hope that with this curriculum, you will be able to do amazing things and learn alongside your students. I remember my first year teaching computer science; I didn’t know much more than my students did. I had never taken a course on computer programming and had only done some random puzzles online. I was learning with my students, and I leaned into that experience.
It’s important to embrace the idea that this is a problem-solving journey you are going through together. You should let your students know that you are all navigating this experience together. Leaning in with your students to solve problems, sitting next to them, and figuring out their code can be a lot of fun. Embrace that experience together!
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Computer Science – The study of computers and computational systems, including their theory, design, development, and application. – In computer science, algorithms are developed to solve complex problems efficiently.
Teaching – The act of imparting knowledge or instructing someone on how to do something, especially in a formal setting. – Teaching programming languages requires a deep understanding of both the syntax and the logic behind the code.
Curiosity – A strong desire to learn or know something, often leading to exploration and discovery. – Curiosity drives many developers to explore new technologies and improve their coding skills.
Growth Mindset – The belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through dedication and hard work. – Adopting a growth mindset helps programmers overcome challenges and continuously improve their coding abilities.
Learning – The process of acquiring knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching. – Continuous learning is essential for staying updated with the latest advancements in software development.
Students – Individuals who are engaged in learning, especially those enrolled in educational institutions. – Computer science students often participate in hackathons to apply their knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Coding – The process of writing instructions for computers using programming languages. – Coding is a fundamental skill for software developers, enabling them to create applications and systems.
Errors – Flaws or mistakes in a program that cause it to produce incorrect or unexpected results. – Debugging is the process of identifying and fixing errors in a codebase.
Curriculum – A structured set of courses or content offered by an educational institution or program. – The computer science curriculum includes courses on algorithms, data structures, and software engineering.
Problem-Solving – The process of finding solutions to difficult or complex issues, often involving analytical and critical thinking skills. – Effective problem-solving is crucial for developers when debugging code or designing software solutions.
