This month we focus on the Abstraction Big Idea of the Computer Science Principles Framework. Please refer to page 8 of the CSP Curriculum Framework. Abstraction is one of the most central aspects of Computational Thinking. It cuts across the other Big Ideas, and can be addressed at various points in a CSP course. Essentially, abstraction is the process of removing details in a problem or process to reduce it to a more basic and easily understood structure.
Essential Questions:
1. How are vastly different kinds of data, physical phenomena, and mathematical concepts represented on a computer?
2. How does abstraction help us in writing programs, creating computational artifacts, and solving problems?
3. How can computational models and simulations help generate new understanding and knowledge?
AGENDA
4:30-4:40
Welcome and agenda overview
4:40-5:00
REVIEW
Answer the Essential Questions about your assignment (5 min)
Form groups of 3 (2 min)
Share what you did couched in Essential Questions (10 min)
One or two share with whole class (3 min)
Jim Town
5:00-5:20
Get food and chat: Topic of discussion: Getting students excited about CS. Tell your neighbor about the first or last time you remember getting excited about CS.
Resetting course expectations: Participants will be required to complete 2 midterm homework assignments and one Final Lesson Plan (see example) in order to get stipend.
Abstraction Lesson design: get into content groups.
Plan a lesson you will teach before the next meeting about Big Idea #2 (Abstraction)
What Computational Thinking Practice will support your lesson?
Make plans to discuss lesson offsite (Slack channel? email? Skype)
Homework and Next steps 1. Teach your Abstraction lesson and bring artifacts 2. Finish Programming Assignment and Share on Studio page, or email us a link to appInventor Gallery, or other link. 3. Midterm Assignment ( includes lesson plan write-up and short answer quiz)
