Building a Base for Teachers to Develop Next Generation Leaders: Computational Thinking in the Elementary and Middle Level Classroom
Abstract: This roundtable discussion will focus on the connections between computational thinking/computer programming and existing elementary education standards/learning targets. A hands on matching game activity will foster dialogue and fuel our own inquiry into what next steps will best facilitate educators' success in bridging the knowledge gap around computational thinking and computer programming. Participants will be encouraged to share where their own interests lie in this burgeoning area, as well as given the opportunity to share questions they may have about next steps. Special considerations will be made for considering this as a social justice issue related to the limited educational access girls and students of color currently have to this critical language of power.