Integrating CT/CS into a Teacher Education Program: A Year-Long PD

Abstract

This grant-funded, year-long professional development (PD) for higher education faculty focused on integrating computational thinking (CT) and computer science (CS) in preservice teacher education courses. A full-day PD was followed-up by four 15-minute PD sessions held during the Teacher Education Department (TED) meetings, supporting all TED faculty. A PD spinoff initiative, “Focused Faculty,” supported five TED faculty in planning and implementing a CT/CS lesson in one of their courses in Spring 2024. Multiple materials and activities were utilized in this PD including Scratch Jr., Scratch, Code.org, micro:bits, unplugged activities, machine learning, makerspaces, and literacy integration