What is CS integration?

Computer Science (CS) integration is CodeVA's process of teaching CS skills in conjunction with other academic areas. This approach creates a more equitable CS classroom in two ways:

(1) students understand CS's applicability across the curriculum; and,

(2) by integrating CS into core subject areas in early grades, CS becomes more broadly available and provides increased CS opportunities for minoritized and other underrepresented students.

Read more about CodeVA's CS training programs here.

Why social studies?

We chose to integrate computer science into social studies for a couple of key reasons.

First, in social studies, teacher educators argue students need a more active learning approach focused on primary source documents rather than textbooks. Early research suggests that integrating STEM topics into social studies has great promise in creating a more active learning approach. This project focuses on integrating computer science into middle school social studies to build on that promise.

In addition, by integrating CS into core subjects such as social studies, we are able to work toward our goal to broaden CS participation and bring meaningful computer science education to more students.

What is data storytelling?

Data storytelling is a way to convey data as a narrative form. This project specifically seeks to use data storytelling as a way to create meaningful interpretations of social science and historical events by integrating innovations in new media.

See some examples of this type of work by searching for “Tools" on our Exemplar Library.