Social discussion of CS in K-12

[Emmanuel Schanzer <schanzer AT bootstrapworld.org>]

Hi Todd - I completely sympathize with that concern: I’m a former math teacher myself. My team has been researching the problem for nearly 10 years now, and I’d be happy to chat with you about how we blend the two without adding extra, unrelated content. Would you like to schedule a phone call sometime this week?

Emmanuel Schanzer
-----------------------------
Bootstrap Program Director
617-792-2438
schanzer AT bootstrapworld.org

On Sep 1, 2015, at 9:12 AM, Todd Lash <lashtodd AT champaignschools.org> wrote:

I haven't had the chance to look at the materials yet Charles, but it would be great to talk to the Bootstrap folks.  One rub in writing integrated curriculum has been the problem of introducing new CS content at the same time as new math concepts.  Love to hear about how they have dealt with that.

Thanks,

Todd

Todd Lash

Magnet Teaching Specialist/Instructional Coach

Kenwood Elementary School

1001 Stratford Drive

Champaign, IL 61821

217.351.3815

Twitter:  @Todd_Lash

"If we teach today's students as we taught yesterday's, we rob them of tomorrow."  -John Dewey

#daretoshare

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From: ctrl-shift-bounces+lashtodd=champaignschools.org AT lists.mste.illinois.edu <ctrl-shift-bounces+lashtodd=champaignschools.org AT lists.mste.illinois.edu> on behalf of Charles Schultz <sacrophyte AT gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, August 31, 2015 3:11 PM
To: ctrl-shift AT lists.mste.illinois.edu
Cc: Emmanuel Schanzer
Subject: [Ctrl-Shift] CS in Math Curriculum

 

Good day shifters,

Just recently I become aware of code.org's offering for "CS in Algebra" and so I tried it out. This further led me to learn more about Bootstrap, which code.org uses to augment its own offering. After reaching out to Bootstrap, I received quite a fascinating response from Emmanuel Schanzer, and with his permission, I have included it here:

"We’re happy that Code.org has decided to build their math curricula on Bootstrap, but I should clarify that their offering is quite different from ours. In direct answer to your question, Code’s curriculum is a one-off: it’s intended to get math teachers teaching CS, but offers no pathway into higher maths (Indeed, Code’s HS curricula effectively forces teachers to abandon math altogether!). But - as you point out - there is higher terrain to be explored. 

 

Fortunately, the Bootstrap team is focused very heavily on exploring the math/CS connection from a learning and transfer angle. In fact, our model of programming extends quite naturally to calculus, and you’ll be happy to know that we’re exploring some options in that regard. Stay tuned!"

Given the investments that CTRL-Shift made into writing CS and CT into the curriculum at Kenwood (and a middle school?), I thought it might be beneficial to open up this door of conversation with someone who has "been there, done that". I apologize if I am out of line in this regard.

-- 

Charles Schultz