CT/CS AT K12

Why Teach CT/CS at the K12 Level? 

Prepare students and informed citizens who can 

• Engage in the public discussion of computing topics.

• Understand the role of computing in the world around them.

• Develop as users, learners, and creators of computer science artifacts, products, and knowledge.

• Learn, perform, and express themselves in a new area or field.

Achieving digital equity with the highly developed technology nowadays, for example:

• Digital capacity is a prerequisite for full participation in society and the economy. 

• Increasing demands for digital skills on workers.

• Digital skill gaps across K-12 affect future job opportunities and earning potential.

Reference: A Vision for K-12 Computer Science; Delivering on the Promise of Digital Equity

Misconceptions About CS

Misconception#1: CS is all about coding

Computer science compresses many disciplines, such as cybersecurity, data science, information systems, computational thinking, hardware, software engineering, machine learning, artificial intelligence, programming language, and many more. 

Misconception#2: CS is too difficult for young students

K-12 computer science is about fostering creativity, analytical thinking skills, critical thinking skills, design thinking skills, problem-solving skills, and more.  

Misconception#3: CS is difficult to integrate into core content areas

With professional development, educators can create greater benefits for students by integrating CT/CS into multiple disciplines, such as problem-solving skills, communication skills, collaboration skills, decision-making, and critical thinking. 

Reference: Misconceptions about CS

Making CS Accessible

• Consider the novice-friendly environment and projects. 

• Use unplugged activities. 

• Involve Universal Design for Learning (UDL) strategies.

Reference: Making CS Accessible