Computer Science in the Elementary Classroom (EDMA 269)

Summer 2024 Dates: June 24 - August 4, 2024

Graduate Credit - 2 semester hours, $440.00 (not including the cost of the textbook)
OR
Iowa License Renewal - 2 semester hours, $220.00 (not including the cost of the textbook)

Online Course Description:
Our society’s increased dependence on technology is generating a need for highly qualified individuals who have the skills to support and create that technology. Thus, it is never too early to introduce the fundamentals of computer science to elementary school students—and this course will help you do just that.

In this course, you’ll learn strategies for preparing children to meet the needs of our modern society, starting with the basics of computational thinking in lower elementary and moving into beginning programming in upper elementary. You’ll review a variety of resources and choose those that will work best in your classroom setting given your access to technology. In addition, you’ll learn the long-term benefits of teaching student’s computer science skills and how to be good digital citizens.

Learning Outcomes:

• Students will describe the importance of including computer science in the classroom.
• Students will understand computer science policies at a state and national level. 
• Students will design instruction that allows a K-5 child to demonstrate computer science skills.
• Students will identify resources for teaching coding skills and computer science in elementary school, with and without access to technology in the classroom.
• Students will locate computer science lessons that are appropriate for K-5 students.
• Students will create a long-term plan for implementing CS into the classroom.

Required Textbooks:
The following required texts can be purchased on Amazon as hardcover, paperback or an ebook.

Title                             Hello Ruby: Adventures in Coding
Author                        Linda Liukas
ISBN Hardcover          978-1-387-29254-7
Link                             https://www.amazon.com/Hello-Ruby-Adventures-Linda-Liukas/dp/1250065003

Title                             Hello Ruby: Journey Inside the Computer
Author                        Linda Liukas
ISBN Hardcover          978-1-250-06532-2
Link                             https://www.amazon.com/Hello-Ruby-Journey-Inside-Computer/dp/1250065321

Title                             Hello Ruby: Expedition to the Internet
Author                        Linda Liukas
ISBN Hardcover          978-1-250-19599-9
Link                             https://www.amazon.com/Hello-Ruby-Expedition-Linda-Liukas/dp/1250195993

SYLLABUS

This course may not run as scheduled if we do not reach our minimum number of registrations. Should this occur, all registered students will have the option of receiving a full refund OR rolling the registration over into the following semester.