Professional Learning

Overview

The K-8 PAsmart Targeted Grant cohort is an evidence-based professional learning pathway that includes six days of facilitated, professional learning as well as twelve hours of embedded online learning. Participants explore ways of teaching computer science while mastering core computer science competencies. 

Participants:

• Access, use, and demonstrate knowledge of the K-12 Computer Science Framework and Computer Science Teachers Association Standards
• Demonstrate the need for computer science as a core educational literacy and as a driver of innovation in our communities
• Design, initiate and reflect on a small-scale implementation pilot
• Recognize and create a plan to close equity gaps in computer science education, specifically for students with disabilities and other historically underrepresented populations, such as students of color, English language learners and female students
• Leverage community and stakeholder partnerships to accelerate computer science learning experiences for every learner. 

Using SCRIPT planning tools and resources as a guide, participants set individual and school/district goals for expanding computer science access and inclusion for every student, including plans for a small-scale implementation pilot that either creates a new computer science course or integrates computer science into existing content areas and curricula. Over the course of the cohort, participants are expected to develop and share artifacts (via an online platform) to demonstrate progress towards their goals.

 

Due to the evolving situation concerning COVID-19, Pathway activities have been revised. 

Please continue to monitor email and the Pathway Schoology courses for information pertaining to upcoming workshops and events.

Overview

The PDE PAsmart 7-12 Computer Science (CS) Pathway is an intensive, year-long learning experience supporting local education agencies (LEAs) engaged in the PAsmart Targeted Grant program. As a result of the 7-12 Pathway, LEAs will have an educator ready to take the 7-12 CS certification exam and to offer a standards-aligned middle or high school CS course during the utilizing evidence-based culturally responsive pedagogical practices to meet the needs of diverse learners. 

The Pathway supports middle and high school (7-12) educators who currently are or will soon be teaching a computer science course and is differentiated for participants, taking into varied levels of experience in education and computer science.

Participants:

1. Demonstrate foundational computer science (CS) content knowledge and skills as evidenced by passing the 7-12 CS certification exam
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the K-12 CS Framework and the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA) Standards
3. Identify strategies and resources for the delivery of universally designed and culturally relevant CS instruction to diverse learners
4. Develop CS instructional materials that are standards-aligned, universally designed, and pedagogically supported. 
5. Create a plan for increasing and diversifying student engagement in CS with alignment LEA’s CS strategic plan (SCRIPT or other)
6. Articulate the need for CS in education and our communities

Schedule

*All in-person workshops are subject to change to a virtual format; such changes will be communicated ahead of time. 

The CSinPA K-8 Virtual Pathway includes 48 hours of professional learning conducted via asynchronous and synchronous online activities. Over the course of the program, participants set goals for expanding CS access for students and develop and share artifacts to demonstrate progress towards their goals. 

The Pathway supports K-8 educators involved with CS instruction, whether as stand-alone classes or by integrating CS concepts and practices into other content-area instruction. 

Objectives

Educators engaged in the K-8 Pathway will be able to:

• Access and use the K-12 Framework and CSTA Standards
• Initiate and reflect on small-scale implementation pilot
• Recognize and create a plan to close equity gaps, specifically for students with disabilities and other historically underrepresented populations such as students of color and female students
• Leverage community and stakeholder partnerships
• Articulate the need for CS in education and communities

Coming soon to an IU near you!
Please reach out to your local IUs for more information. 

The 7-12 Praxis Prep Pathway is designed for the PAsmart Targeted Grant middle/high school educators and any 7-12 educators interested in taking the soon-to-be-released PA CS Praxis Exam and planning to teach a computer science course during the 2020-21 school year or next (2021-22 school year).

This training engages 7-12 educators in activities to develop Computer Science (CS) content area knowledge and skills in asynchronous, self-paced activities via the online We_Teach CS program. Participants that successfully complete the course will receive 64 Act 48 clock hours. 

Objectives

At the conclusion of this training participants will be able to:

• Provide examples of how computing fosters innovation and collaboration in society.
• Identify obstacles of equal access to computing among different groups.
• Utilize abstraction, pattern recognition, problem decomposition, and number base conversion to create and analyze algorithms.
• Apply knowledge of programming control structures, standard operators, variables, correctness, extensibility, modifiability, and reusability in the creation and modification of computer programs

Registration is rolling, but space is limited. Please reach out to PAsmart@pattan.net for registration details.