The Impact of Professional Development on Middle School Teachers' Integration of Computational Thinking in Science

• In Event: Engagement and Persistence in Computing Disciplines

Abstract

Based on the critical need for implementation of computing in formal educational settings, the Activate Computational Thinking project provided professional development for middle school science teachers, who in turn designed and implemented lessons to provide students in their classrooms with access to opportunities to develop computing and problem solving skills. The professional development provided mentoring and support to teachers and closely observed and studied how teachers developed CT competencies, designed lessons and implemented teaching strategies to engage students in formal educational settings. The mixed method study found that teachers were not only able to successfully design and implement CT in science, but found that their students were engaged and interested in learning CT and increased their problem solving skills.

Authors

• Katherine L. Hayden, California State University - San Marcos

• Youwen Ouyang, California State University - San Marcos