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SFUSD, WestEd, and codeSpark are partnering to investigate the use and effectiveness of StoryCoder. StoryCoder is a new app that combines storytelling and coding for an early elementary school audience. The goal of StoryCoder is to introduce students to the building blocks of computer science by using simplified coding to tell a story. WestEd is a non-profit education research organization, and codeSpark is a game developer for children to learn programming and computer science concepts.
Goals of the project are to:
support classroom teachers in integrating CS into their literacy/writing instruction in an engaging, relevant, creative, and student-centered way;
offer an additional medium for students’ authentic expression;
allow students to explore and effectively learn and apply narrative writing concepts; and
see if StoryCoder in codeSpark is feasible to use in elementary classrooms such that teachers are able to integrate the app and curriculum into their classroom lessons.
Participating teachers will:
Attend a 1.5-hour in-person training session to be arranged at your school site (December 3 - 6)
Implement three 30-40 minute lessons from StoryCoder curriculum in the classroom, preferably during the literacy block
Administer 10-15 minute pre-assessment and post-assessment (or support administration by a WestEd researcher)
Communicate with WestEd to help in scheduling assessments and one classroom observation
Participate in a 1-hour grade-level focus group with several other participating teachers
In addition, school coordinators (CS teachers) will:
Set up the codeSpark app on devices and coordinate the usage schedule for the participating classrooms at your school
Assist with device and WiFi connectivity issues if they arise. Note, codeSpark staff will also be for any questions or remote troubleshooting
Participants will receive extended calendar compensation for attending PD outside of school hours, and the school will receive a set of physical computing devices.
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