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How many years have you been teaching and of those years how many years have you taught computer science?
"This is my seventh year teaching, and it is my sixth year teaching computer science. "
What classes do you teach at the High School?
"This year it's Algebra 1, Software Development, and Computer Science Essentials. Next year it'll be Algebra 1, Computer Science Essentials, and AP Computer Science A."
What is your favorite part about teaching computer science, and of the classes that you teach which has been your favorite and why?
"So my favorite one is probably the Software Development one, either that or App and Web Programming, probably because of the real world assignments we've done. We made a website for SK Wellness, we made a website for Mr. Carey's department, and we made a website for a local business called Just Jess this year. So the real world applications have been pretty cool for those classes. That's actually one reason why I like teaching computer science because you can have those applications to the real world, and I think it's a lot easier for kids to see how they can use computer science in the future."
Would you recommend this CTE/Pathway to students who don't have any prior knowledge in Computer Science but might be interested in the field?
"I would definitely recommend it because you start out with the Computer Science essentials class that's geared towards beginners. This gives you an introduction to building apps but with block programming and then moves you into text based programming, so it gives you kind of the full range to know if you're interested or not in Computer Science. So I would say enter the CTE program, see if you like that first class, and if you do then keep going with it. Even the AP Computer Science Principles is more advanced than essentials, but still anyone could take that class without any experience."
What are your recommended classes for any student who does not have any prior experience in Computer Science but is just interested in the topic, is Computer Science Essential the only class meant for beginners?
"Computer Science Essential is a good one or Intro to Computer Science, I think now it's called Intro to Data Science maybe with Mrs. DiNitto. I would say start with those two and if you're interested after that, just keep going to the AP CSP and then keep moving if you want."
How will being a part of this pathway help students who plan to pursue computer science in the future, and will the pathway give them an advantage over other students who didn't complete it?
"I think it will help them in the future because by the end of it you will have to do some type of real world project where you're pretty much doing a job for somebody like making a website for somebody, so it's like a real job. So you get to see if it is something you would be interested in in the future, and it gives you experience going forward. With the actual CTE program starting next year, you should end up with 8 credits for sure to URI and the option to take two additional classes, Cyber Security and Intro to Data Science, for 8 more credits. So you could end up going to college with your first semester done which kind of gives you an advantage that way."
Where do you see the Computer Science CTE program in the future; do you think it will grow and expand, or do you see it downscaling?
" I think with our partnership with PLTW (Project Lead The Way) will keep growing so by the end of next year we'll have, I think, four PLTW classes: Cyber Security, APCSP, AP CSA, and Computer Science Essentials. It's expanding very fast, and I think you'll end up seeing more teachers being trained for it if it keeps growing, and the actual courses will get better as we're going to add things such as smart boards to that room by the business wing, making a more attractive computer lab."
Is there anything that you would like parents and incoming students to know about the Computer Science program, especially those interested in the pathway?
" The two things I would probably want people to know is that no matter what your interests are and no matter what type of background you have, or no matter what gender you are, it doesn't matter, you're going to find something that interests you in the class. I would love to see more diversity within the class because right now we have a lot of just guys taking it which is part of the stigma of computer science. I think getting girls interested in computer science would be really good for the program because the more diversity you have, the better your class will be because you're getting more perspectives. I think the thing I would want incoming students to know is that no matter what background you have, you're going to find something that interests you."
You Can Contact Mr.Vieira at dvieira@sksd-ri.net
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