VIRGINIA COLLABORATIVE FOR THE PREPARATION OF TEACHERS
COMPUTER SCIENCE/INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY COURSE DESIGN TEAM
Goals
To prepare all prospective K-8 teachers to teach the Virginia computer science Standards of Learning.
To train computer science lead teachers in grades K-8.
Committee members
Chair: Bob Webber, Longwood College mailto: webberrp@longwood.lwc.edu
There is a core of people who attend most meetings and participate fully in the committee's work: John Arehart, Longwood College; Pam Lowery, Mary Washington College; Sandra Bollinger, Longwood College; Raj Chaudhury, Norfolk State University; Mary Lou Gibson, Math and Science Center; Lorraine Kilpatrick, Chesterfield County Schools; Buz Murrill, Virginia Commonwealth University.
There are other people who are involved with the committee. They come to meetings and participate as time allows: Marc Dolbier, Spotsylvania County schools; Chris Martin, Mary Washington College student; Matt Molobicky, Spotsylvania County schools; Melissa Park, Mary Washington College student; Bridget Stinger, Mary Washington College student; Doreatha White, Chesapeake City schools; Linda Webber, Prince Edward County schools.
What we've done
We've decided that at least two courses are needed. One should be a general education course, to be taken by all K-8 teachers and other students as well. It should have minimal or no prerequisites. Although it is a general education course, K-8 teachers who complete it should be knowledgeable in the material included in the Virginia K-8 Standards of Learning. An outline of the course may be found below.
The second course will be intended for people who want to become lead teachers or computer resource people in the K-8 grades. We do not anticipate it will stress wiring, maintaining a network, or other hardware issues. Those things are best done by technicians. Every school needs teachers who are thoroughly at home with computers, know how to use them in education, know where to find materials, and who can serve as resources for other teachers. This course should train such people.
The first course
We have developed the outline for a general education course in computer science. Elements of the course have been incorporated into Computer Science 121 at Longwood College, and the entire course was piloted in Computer Science 128 at Virginia Commonwealth University in summer 1997.
Topics in the course will include:
Bits and bytes: the binary and hexadecimal systems; data storage formats
RAM and ROM: architecture and hardware
Right and wrong: ethical issues
Operating systems and networks
The three basic software packages: word processing, spreadsheets, and data bases
The Internet: searching and accessing information
A detailed outline will be available after this summer.
Since computer science is changing so quickly, and the preparation and experience of entering students with computers is changing even more rapidly, this course will have to be constantly evolving. The course outline today will certainly not be identical to the outline five years from now. However, it is important to teach general principles and not to become narrowly focused on today's software and hardware. The course must prepare students to adapt to the new computer resources they will find in the future.
The second course
We will be working on this course in the coming year.
Virginia Standards of Learning in computer science, 1995
Computer/Technology Standards by the end of grade 5: Minimum skills that all students should acquire include the following:
C/T5.1 The student will demonstrate a basic understanding of computer theory including bits, bytes, and binary logic.
C/T5.2 The student will develop basic technology skills.
Develop a basic technology vocabulary that includes cursor, software, memory, disk drive, hard drive, and CD-ROM.
Select and use technology appropriate to tasks.
Develop basic keyboarding skills.
Operate peripheral devices.
Apply technologies to strategies for problem solving and critical thinking.
C/T5.3 The student will process, store, retrieve, and transmit electronic information.
Use search strategies to retrieve electronic information using databases, CD-ROMs, videodiscs, and telecommunications.
Use electronic encyclopedias, almanacs, indexes, and catalogs.
Use local and wide-area networks and modem-delivered services to access information from electronic databases.
Describe advantages and disadvantages of various computer processing, storage, retrieval, and transmission techniques.
C/T5.4 The student will communicate through application software.
Create a 1-2 page document using word processing skills, writing process steps, and publishing programs.
Use simple computer graphics and integrate graphics into word-processed documents.
Create simple databases and spreadsheets to manage information and create reports.
Use local and worldwide network communication systems.
Computer/Technology Standards by the end of grade 8: Minimum skills that all students should acquire include the following:
C/T8.1 The student will communicate through application software.
Compose and edit a multipage document at the keyboard, using word processing skills and the writing process steps.
Communicate with spreadsheets by entering data and setting up formulas, analyzing data, and creating graphs or charts to visually represent data.
Communicate with databases by defining fields and entering data, sorting, and producing reports in various forms.
Use advanced publishing software, graphics programs, and scanners to produce page layouts.
Integrate databases, graphics, and spreadsheets into word-processed documents.
C/T8.2 The student will communicate through networks and telecommunication.
Use local and worldwide network communication systems.
Develop hypermedia "home page" documents that can be accessed by world wide networks.
C/T8.3 The student will have a basic understanding of computer processing, storing, retrieval and transmission technologies and a practical appreciation of the relevant advantages and disadvantages of various processing, storage, retrieval, and transmission technologies.
C/T8.4 The student will process, store, retrieve, and transmit electronic information.
Use search strategies to retrieve electronic information.
Use electronic encyclopedias, almanacs, indexes, and catalogs to retrieve and select relevant information.
Use laser discs with a computer in an interactive mode.
Use local and wide-area networks and modem-delivered services to access and retrieve information from electronic databases.
Use databases to perform research.
To view the complete Virginia Standards of Learning, click here.