Actually, this post will feature a few reads and resources for you that are part of a theme – the need to change K-12 education to face the realities of today and tomorrow, instead of preparing them for a world that has already turned. To do so will require children to gain a working understanding of the use of, and creation of, software. This is as important today as reading, writing and mathematics and it helps provide invaluable tools to build on, and strengthen, those foundational parts of children’s education.
Google Edu serves a terrific resource for educators and students that brings together many of these concepts – “Exploring Computational Thinking”. The lesson plan includes Python exercises that help illustrate computational thinking while strengthening math skills.
Why this is important
Over 10 years ago Lawrence Lessig exclaimed, “The Code Is the Law”, and in a series of articles, presentations, and an influential book spread the idea among the digerati, but interestingly enough, those outside of technology didn’t adopt the idea as a truism.
Douglas Rushkoff recently released his most recent book, “Programed or be Programmed” that took the concept further and declared a course of action for future educators.
Kevin Slavin: Kevin Slavin: How algorithms shape our world:
YouTube: “TED: Conrad Wolfram: Teaching kids real math with computers”:
For those interested in getting started using Computational Thinking in your math/science classrooms. I suggest you check out the lessons and resources on Google’s Exploring Computational Thinking website.
http://www.google.com/edu/computational-thinking/index.html
Thanks for sharing out about this great pedagogy and the need for educators to implement it.
Hi Phil,
Thanks for passing that along. I should have had that in the post – I’ve tweeted about it here and there and it is a fantastic resource. I think Google has published a terrific tool to frame how some of this can be brought into K-12 education.