1 of 20

The SEPjr Program

PBL Teaching Strategies: Providing Structure

2 of 20

Objectives

  • Have FUN and enjoy learning about CS Ed!
  • Learn how Project Based Learning can help teach students about computer science.
  • Learn how Project Based Learning connects to teaching the CS Practices, Analyzing, Prototyping and Communicating.
  • Learn different strategies for teaching computer science w/ Project Based Learning.
  • Learn about curriculum options for teaching w/ Project Based Learning.

​

3 of 20

Reflection Questions (p. 2)

  1. How do you use Project Based Learning in your classroom?
  2. How can Project Based Learning help teach computer science?
  3. What makes a successful driving/essential question for computer science?
  4. What are some examples of opportunities for students to drive this work?
  5. How do the CS Practices connect to Project Based Learning?
  6. What additional strategies can you use when teaching CS with PBL?

4 of 20

Computer Science is the…

Practice of…

Concepts from…

Perspectives

Analyzing the impacts of computing

​

Prototyping projects connected to interests

​

Communicating understanding of concepts

Abstraction

​

Algorithms

​

Programming

​

Data

​

Networks

Explorer

​

Creator

​

Innovator

​

Citizen

5 of 20

Providing Structure

PBL & CS Teaching Strategies

6 of 20

Providing Structure (p. 12)

​

  • If a teacher and students have not engaged in Project Based Learning together, it is best to start with a shorter structured project.
  • Students can use tools such as guides, tutorials, sample projects, or remixing to start building a better understanding of the CS Concepts.
  • In addition, it can be helpful to provide a schedule of tasks that students are able to follow.
  • Assigning students with a specific project task for each class period helps to ensure they stay on schedule throughout the project.

​

​

7 of 20

Example: Wonder Workshop - Design Thinking

​

​

  • Each level of the Learn to Code Curriculum has six lessons, with the final one consisting of a design thinking project.
  • For example in Level C, Lesson 6, students will work in small groups, using Dash to solve a classroom problem.
  • Students will use the Design Thinking Process to identify a problem and possible solutions.
  • Then they will plan, build, and test a solution to the problem, documenting their work in the Design Thinking Workbook.

​

8 of 20

Example: Wonder Workshop - Design Thinking

​

​

9 of 20

Define the Problem

​

​

Have student groups use the Design Thinking Workbook to:

  • Record the list of classroom problems that was created by the class.
  • Discuss and add any other classroom problems to the list.
  • Narrow this list down to a top classroom problem.
  • Explain the selected problem in detail.
  • Remind students that they may need to compromise.

​

​

10 of 20

Ideate

​

​

Have student groups use the Design Thinking Workbook to:

  • Brainstorm and record possible solutions for their selected problem.
  • Select their top solution.
  • Explain the selected solution in detail with words and diagrams.

​

​

​

11 of 20

Plan

​

​

Have students use the Design Thinking Workbook to:

  • Establish team roles such as:
    • Lead Programmer: Holds the tablet and integrates group member ideas to create the program in Blockly.
    • Documentarian: Records, writes, and/or draws all group results, thoughts, and progress. Illustrates group designs and ideas.
    • Lead Builder: Collects the materials needed to build the accessory. The lead builder oversees the building and testing of the prototype.

12 of 20

Plan

​

​

  • Draft a detailed sketch of their accessory idea for Dash.
  • Each student in the group should contribute to the sketch by using different-colored pencils/markers/crayons.
  • By giving each student a different-colored pencil to draw, the teacher can tell that all students have participated in the planning of their group’s accessory.
  • Have each group share their sketch with you.
  • Have students make any needed adjustments to their original plan based on your feedback.

​

​

​

13 of 20

Build

​

​

Have students use the Design Thinking Workbook to:

  • Make a list of the recycled materials they will need to build a prototype of their design.
  • Gather the necessary materials.
  • Build the prototype.
  • Have each group share their prototype with you.
  • Have them make any needed adjustments based on your feedback.

​

​

​

​

14 of 20

Program & Test

​

​

Have students use the Design Thinking Workbook to:

  • Plan a program for Dash that will help demonstrate their accessory design.
  • Use the Blockly app to develop their program.
  • Record the results of their code and prototype.
  • Make any improvements based on their test.

​

​

​

​

​

15 of 20

Other Examples

​

​

16 of 20

How would you provide structure when teaching CS with PBL?

17 of 20

Next Steps

18 of 20

Check Us Out

​

Checkout participating teachers learning, photos, and videos on social media! Use @CSForAllNYC #SEPjrNYC

​

​

19 of 20

Join The Conversation

​

Join the SEPjr Microsoft Teams Group to help stay connected and up to date with resources, opportunities and much more.

​

​

20 of 20

Thank you from the CS4All Team!

We look forward to supporting you and your cs program!