The Deep Dive Workshop by Code.org is specifically crafted for educators who are actively teaching the CS Fundamentals course. Unlike the introductory workshop, which is aimed at those considering whether to teach the course, this workshop is dedicated to helping teachers overcome the challenges they face in their classrooms.
Often, the deep dive and introductory workshops are scheduled together, each spanning a single day. It’s important to note that attending the deep dive workshop does not require prior participation in the introductory session. However, if both workshops are offered by a school or district, it’s advisable to have at least a month between them. This gap allows teachers who attended the introductory workshop to apply what they’ve learned before diving deeper.
The workshop is designed with three primary objectives in mind:
All activities during the workshop are aligned with these goals.
The day begins with a focus on understanding the specific challenges and barriers teachers face in their classrooms and schools. This is why it’s essential for participants to have already started teaching the course. Those who haven’t may not yet know the questions or challenges they will encounter. During this session, real-life challenges are identified, and solutions are explored throughout the day.
The middle part of the agenda centers on effectively using the curriculum with students. Discussions include instructional strategies and classroom practices, such as supporting debugging practices and utilizing Code.org tools to manage the classroom efficiently. Emphasis is also placed on using the lessons and instructional practices to foster an inclusive learning environment.
During this segment, teachers gain hands-on experience, both as learners and educators, providing them with valuable insights into how these strategies can be applied in their classrooms.
The workshop concludes with a focus on planning, which encompasses both lesson planning and implementation planning. In lesson planning, teachers are guided to think concretely about how to adapt the written lessons from the Code.org website for their students, transforming activities into actionable plans.
Implementation planning offers flexible time for participants to collaborate with others facing similar challenges. This allows tech teachers to work with tech teachers and classroom teachers with classroom teachers, creating a concrete plan for implementing CS Fundamentals for the remainder of the year.
Reflect on your teaching experiences and list the top three challenges you’ve encountered while implementing the CS Fundamentals course. Share these challenges with a peer and brainstorm potential solutions together. This activity will help you gain insights into common barriers and explore collaborative problem-solving techniques.
Engage in a hands-on session where you explore the CS Fundamentals curriculum. Choose a lesson that you find challenging to teach and work through it as a student. Then, discuss with a group how you would adapt the lesson to better fit your classroom needs. This will enhance your understanding of the curriculum and improve your instructional strategies.
Participate in a workshop focused on instructional strategies, such as debugging practices and classroom management using Code.org tools. Practice these strategies in a simulated classroom environment and receive feedback from peers. This activity will help you refine your teaching practices and create an inclusive learning environment.
Collaborate with fellow educators to develop a detailed lesson plan for an upcoming CS Fundamentals class. Use the Code.org resources to adapt the lesson to your students’ needs. Share your plan with the group and receive constructive feedback. This session will assist you in transforming curriculum activities into actionable teaching plans.
Join a group of teachers who face similar challenges and work together to create a comprehensive implementation plan for the CS Fundamentals course. Focus on long-term goals and strategies for the remainder of the academic year. This collaborative effort will provide you with a concrete plan and support network for successful course implementation.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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Code.org’s deep dive workshop for CS Fundamentals teachers is designed for educators who are already in the classroom and implementing the course. Unlike the introductory workshop, which is for those still deciding whether to teach the course, this workshop focuses on helping participants identify and address the barriers they encounter in their classrooms.
The deep dive and introductory workshops are often offered together. When this occurs, there are two one-day workshops. It’s important to note that attending the deep dive workshop does not require prior attendance at the introductory workshop. In cases where schools and districts offer both, we recommend having at least one month between the two workshops. This allows teachers who have started through the introductory workshop time to implement what they’ve learned before attending the deep dive.
The deep dive workshop aims to achieve three main goals with the teachers:
1. Help them identify and address the barriers that hinder their implementation of the course.
2. Improve and expand their teaching practice by exploring the curriculum and engaging in hands-on activities.
3. Assist them in planning for the future and enhancing their current implementation of CS Fundamentals in their classrooms.
All activities during the workshop are designed to support these goals.
We begin the day by understanding the challenges and barriers teachers face in their classrooms and schools. This is why it’s crucial that participants have already started teaching the course. If they haven’t, they may not yet know what questions they will have. During this time, we identify real-life challenges and work towards finding solutions throughout the day.
The middle section of the agenda focuses on using the curriculum with students. We discuss instructional strategies and classroom practices, such as supporting debugging practices and effectively utilizing Code.org tools to manage the classroom. We also emphasize using the lessons themselves and the instructional practices that can help create an inclusive environment.
During this segment, teachers gain hands-on experience as both learners and educators, providing them with better context for how these strategies can work in their classrooms.
We conclude the day with planning, which includes both lesson planning and implementation planning. In lesson planning, we help teachers think concretely about how to take the written lessons from the Code.org website and apply them with their students. This involves transforming activities into actionable plans.
Implementation planning is flexible time that allows participants to coordinate with others facing similar challenges—tech teachers with tech teachers, and classroom teachers with classroom teachers—to create a concrete plan for implementing CS Fundamentals for the remainder of the year.
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This version maintains the core content while removing any informal language and ensuring clarity.
Workshop – A session or series of sessions in which a group of people engage in intensive discussion and activity on a particular subject, especially in the context of learning new skills or techniques in computing. – The software development workshop provided hands-on experience with the latest coding frameworks.
Curriculum – A structured set of courses or content offered by an educational institution or program, particularly in the field of computer science or software engineering. – The computer science curriculum includes courses on data structures, algorithms, and machine learning.
Teachers – Individuals who instruct or guide students in acquiring knowledge and skills, particularly in programming and computer science subjects. – Teachers in the coding bootcamp are experienced software engineers who provide real-world insights.
Coding – The process of writing instructions for computers using programming languages to create software, applications, or systems. – Coding in Python has become a fundamental skill for data analysts and software developers.
Classroom – A physical or virtual space where educational instruction in computer science and programming takes place. – The virtual classroom allowed students from different time zones to collaborate on coding projects.
Strategies – Plans or methods developed to achieve specific goals in teaching or learning computer science concepts effectively. – Implementing pair programming strategies can enhance collaborative learning in coding classes.
Implementation – The process of executing a plan or design in software development, resulting in a functional program or system. – The implementation of the new algorithm significantly improved the application’s performance.
Debugging – The process of identifying, analyzing, and removing errors or bugs from computer software or systems. – Debugging complex code requires patience and a systematic approach to problem-solving.
Activities – Tasks or exercises designed to engage students in learning and applying computer science concepts. – Interactive coding activities help students understand the practical applications of theoretical concepts.
Learning – The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching, especially in the context of computer science and programming. – Continuous learning is essential for staying updated with the rapidly evolving technology landscape.
