Classroom Implementation
The Elementary Computing for All curriculum has been implemented in Santa Ana Unified School District, a district with 93% Latino students, 36% English learners, and 81% children on free or reduced price meals. Fourth grade teachers were introduced to the curriculum in a one-week summer professional development. Most teachers, including those with no prior background in computing, were able to implement the one-hour per week year-long curriculum in the classroom.
Computer Science Identity Children who used the curriculum developed statistically significant gains in identification with the field of computer science, including more positive perceptions of the field of computer science, enhanced confidence in their ability to do computer science, more time talking about computer science with families, and more time engaging in computer science activities outside of school. |
Computational Thinking Children who used the curriculum over the year had statistically significant gains in ability to understand and use sequencing, conditional logic and algorithmic thinking, as well as in overall computational thinking skills. |
Student Testimonials
"I like doing computer science because you get to create something on your own and you can personalize it and...try to be creative with doing it like that.” “I think it's also fun for my friends. They think it inspires us to do more incredible things for science.” "I started to do a lot of outside programming with my Dad like games on Scratch...We do like really fun games. We tried making our own Fortnite game." |
Teacher Testimonials
“I thoroughly loved this program. Being a Special Ed teacher, I'm always looking for things that are engaging because school is naturally hard for them. I think every child needs this program. I was impressed with the way it makes them think." "I had a parent come and she was really excited, started to look for coding things for the summer. She’s really becoming an advocate for her daughter and computer science is a carrot for her daughter. It’s neat to see the mom get on board." “I have taught coding before but it helped me expand in skill. No Latino students were taking AP CS courses, and the same with girls. This is opening up that door.” |