The original post explores my thoughts on Kafal’s 2016 paper on moving beyond computational thinking and into computational participation.
Know
This particular assignment required research skills and domain-specific knowledge of software engineering practices and issues, but overall wasn’t a skill-heavy or tech-heavy assignment. The post proper sits in the modification stage, as a semi-permanent virtual record of my thoughts that is easily shareable. However, I believe that the ideas discussed are geared toward creating tasks that enter the Redefinition stage (e.g., wearable tech; collaborative coding through remixing).
Do
This article explores my thoughts on how to foster a collaborative culture that uses computational and design thinking to creatively look at problems that serve diverse audiences. The hope is that the problems become more accessible and align more with the interests of diverse students, which in turn helps students to take ownership of their learning. The post also discusses Git and other version control systems as a method of authentically managing student work in the virtual space. This assignment aligns with the following ISTE standards:
- “6a: Foster a culture where students take ownership of their learning goals and outcomes in both independent and group settings.” (ISTE, n.d.)
- “6b Manage the use of technology and student learning strategies in digital platforms, virtual environments, hands-on makerspaces or in the field.” (ISTE, n.d.)
- “6c Create learning opportunities that challenge students to use a design process and computational thinking to innovate and solve problems.” (ISTE, n.d.)
- “6d Model and nurture creativity and creative expression to communicate ideas, knowledge or connections.” (ISTE, n.d.)
Understand
There is a lot of equity work to be done in my school and in my district (and in the world), and I am looking forward to continuing to learn and build a computer science program that attracts and serves a wide variety of students through authentic problem solving.
Sources
International Society for Technology in Education. (n.d.). ISTE Standards for Educators. https://www.iste.org/standards/for-educators
Kafai, Y. B. (2016). From Computational Thinking to Computational Participation in K-12 Education. Communications of the ACM, 59(8), 26–27. https://doi-org.proxy.queensu.ca/10.1145/2955114