So, What is code?

Great video from PBS Off Book, a series that explores art in the digital world

Is Code the Most Important Language in the World?


 

It does a great job of quickly describing what code is and then delving into some of the current issues in computer science. I am using it this week as a part of CS Education Week as a journal prompt for my students.

"It is hard to say what problems would be solved with a more diverse workforce."

- Adda Birnir, Co-Founder SkillCrush

 This is the driving force behind a lot of my own work lately. This moves is beyond just looking at diversity of the workplace, but really at how we solve problems as a society.

Inevitably the problems we solve are going to reflect the views and experiences of those solving them. At a deeper level though, the people with the ability to solve these problems through coding have the power to ultimately decide what problems get solutions.

Computer Science is predominantly white and Asian males. In the 2010 census this group made up roughly 38% of the overall population in the United States. That means that 62% of the population is outside of this circle of influence. In essence their problems are outside the view of the people solving humanities problems.

I highly recommend the series in general. The videos are very engaging, short, and show a great diversity of people working with technology.

Some other topics they cover:

• Future of Wearable Technology
• Art of Data Visualization
• Art of Creative Coding

And in case you are using writing in your cs classes here's a full list of the Journal prompts I use in CS Principles.

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Journaling in the Computer Science Classroom

One of the biggest changes for the new APCS Principles course is the use of Performance Tasks (PT) as a part of the official CollegeBoard assessment. These PTs and a summative test at the end of the year will be used to score the kids, just like the 1-5 score they get on other AP tests.

This means our students need lots of practice writing. In my CS Principles pilot we do a lot of journaling throughout the year. I give them specific prompts to respond to every few days. We also heavily use discussion boards (more on that here) to get them reading and responding to other students work. this is especially important since two of the PTs are collaborative.

This year I am trying to keep these topics n a more organized list - here are the topics for Unit 2: The Internet Unplugged: Journal Topics for Unit 2

For their journals - I read them periodically throughout the term. I am not checking for grammar or spelling - the goal is to get ideas recorded and to start using writing as a part of their reflections on the topics we use in class.

Note - if you were using an old version of the PTs, they were updated earlier this fall. You can find the update here.

The most significant change is the Internet Task has been replaced by Explore. The feel of the two tasks are the same, but the updated version allows them to pick any innovation, not just those centered around the Internet.

For my students I am doing journal topics that connect the Internet and innovation. we'll be doing a Model Performance Task in the next few weeks, and will finish the first PT on Innovation after we finish the Unit 2.

Other writing Posts:

• The Great Debate
• Discussion Boards
• Debating Computer Science
• Music to teach Computer Science

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Weekly Roundup

For the Computer Science Principles classes last week I had them define Computer Science . The Wordle below is from their definitions after Unit 1. I am planning on having them do this each unit and see how our collective definition shifts as we layer on more material. I think this might make a good writing prompt later int he year.

Other things I've been looking at:

• Been using this site with my Algebra I kids: http://learnscratch.org/ I am hoping to incorporate Scratch and Graphing
• Curious to Try this: http://www.learnstreet.com/teacher_signup as the AP Computer Science Principles classes start on the Internet and HTML
• Rereading As We May Think by Vannevar Bush - this document, from 1945,  first suggests hypertext. Beyond the reading level of most of my high school kids, but some good nuggets
• As the computer club keeps working on their 3-D printer I am looking forward to trying Blockify 
• Interesting Video recruiting for AP Studio Art: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwyeKseCShY
• And, we just found out our CSTA chapter will get 100 Finches to play with next fall! Cannot wait.
• And lastly made my hotel reservation for SIGCSE 2014. The one thing I learned coaching debate - make the hotel reservation early!

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How to Teach the Internet - Don't

Today my Computer Science Principles classes are starting Unit 2: The Internet Unplugged.

So rather than a terrible exciting lecture on the structure of the Internet - translation "Here's what I think you should care about" - we started with questions.

Telegraph Lines

They were asked to write their own definition of the Internet, and share at least three questions they have about it.

Really, we all use it daily, so we should all have our own working understanding of what it is. By starting with their understanding I can see where we need to add information and what the emphasis should be.

The questions help me plan our activities. By the end of the chapter I want them to understand that the Internet is a physical thing, and be able to describe how it works. I want them understanding how content is posted and to discuss the implications ethically of its content. I want them to know a little HTML and CSS and have the confidence to look up what they need.

But first, I want them thinking.

Questions they asked:

• How is it possible that the internet can be censored in some countries?
• Who owns the internet?
• Who made the internet?
• How does it actually work?
• Why was it originally created?
• When did personal computers have access to it?
• Who owns data on the internet?
• Why is internet copyright so important?
• How hard is it to break the internet?

Right now some of my favorites are Who owns the internet? and  How is it possible that the internet can be censored in some countries? 

Frankly we could start by investigating those two things and cover everything we need to know.

Bookshelf:

• Tubes by Andrew Blum
• Story of how theInternet is constructed - I summarized it here
• As We May Think by Dr. Vannevar Bush
• Originally published in 1945 this is the first description of linked text - "Thus he builds a trail of his interest through the maze of materials available to him." Really, read section 7 if you are short on time.
• Blown to Bits by Hal Abelson (also available free here)
• Good reading for students, especially the appendix
• Stuck in the Shallow End by Jane Margolis
• Also read this by Jane - great food for thought in this era of "tech fixes everything"

Some Lessons We'll do:

• Cups and Strings
• Mapping the Internet
• Underwater Cables
• Why do HTML

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The Great Debate - Writing in CS Principles

I have been asked to share this - I usually do this during my second unit in APCS Principles - The Internet Unplugged.

Writing is a big part of doing well on the new Performance Task assessments for the course. I have found this activity to be a great way to get them writing. I do not grade for grammar or spelling at this point. I want them writing, we can work on mechanics later.

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One activity that works really well to get students writing is an online debate using a discussion board. The point of this activity is to get them used to thinking and debating a topic and responding to other students. In the beginning students tend to take a very surface approach to topics. Debating lets them really delve in and explore the why behind the points they are making.

This activity works well in several areas of the APCS Principles curriculum. It is simple to grade and really gets the students engaged in writing.

To get them ready we play a game in class to get them used to pros and cons, then we debate a current event topic online. The in class debate topic does not necessarily need to relate to computer science. For the online topic I usually pull a current event that relates to something like privacy or online ethics.

The in Class Game:

Have the students line up into two equal lines. Make one like pro and one line con.

Then explain the rules:

• the two lines take turns
• after a student goes they move to the back of the line
• if you are in the pro line you must be for the resolution, if you are in the con line you must be against it, no matter your own personal opinions
• whoever is at the front of the line earns a point for every time they
• add a new point or
• rebut a point made by the other team
• No points are awarded for repeated points or responses

Once they understand the rules reveal the topic reveal the topic. As they take turns keep score.

Topics that work well are things like:

• Resolved: the minimum driving age should be raised to 18
• Resolved: cell phones should not be allowed in schools
• Resolved: social media sites should be limited to people over the age of 18

As you move to the online debate a similar format works. In addition students may earn points by by responding with a related fact as long as they provide a link to a reliable source.

I usually let the online debate go on for 3 - 5 days. In the end you can add up points and declare a winner. You can even post a daily point tally. I do usually try to keep the total points close to keep everyone interested.

For topics for the online debate try to pick something currently in the news. The first time I did this activity Congress was debating some Internet piracy legislation that was being heavily covered in the news.  Computer Science is constantly in the news there is almost something in the headlines related to the Learning Objectives.

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Using Music to Teach Programming

So, what does Paul Simon have to do with array processing?

Glad you asked.

You Can Call Me Al Video

As anyone that has tried to teach arrays can tell you they can be a bit dry. Sadly, the best way to really understand anything in programming is to practice. One of the best workarounds I have found is storing music in arrays. My AP kids never really got into the classic drunkards walk program, but make it a random set of notes on a kazoo and tuba and they were all over it. Music lets them play, which means more practice.

This is fairly simple to do. Each note is a number, or an object, depending on the language. I have done this in Scratch, Visual Basic and Java with the kids. Scratch music is built right in, in VB we use the Beep command, and in Java I use the JMusic tools.

And what, you might be asking, does this have anything to do with You can Call Me Al?

If you listen ahead to about 3:30, there is a bass solo. A Palindromic bass solo. The first part was recorded by Bakithi Kumalo, then played backwards for the second half

The lesson:

• Play the video - ask them if they notice anything about the bass solo - you might need to play it a few times, and it helps if you have some band kids in the room.
• Make sure everyone understands palindromes
• Code a tune - store your notes in an array.
• Create a new array that will store the original tune, then store it backwards.
• So if your original tune was:  A B B D E the new array would store A B B D E E D B B A
• Demo the songs to the class.

Bassists Abraham Laboriel from Mexico and Bakithi Kumalo from South Africa

Another extension here is to watch the video of U-Bassists Abraham Laboriel and Bakithi Kumalo jamming in 2012. What happens if a musician makes a mistake on stage?

I am planning on using this as a journal prompt this year. One of the hardest things for new programmers happens around mistakes. Sadly this is a by product of much of the rest of their education. They are trained to find the right answer.  In computer science we care most about the correct solution, and that is usually going to take several tries. Sometimes the mistake points the way to a better solution. My goal is to get them to embrace their mistakes.

• Making Music with Java - by Andrew Brown
• More info on jMusic you can download it here: http://explodingart.com/jmusic/GetjMusic.html
• Bakithi Kumalo Video playing the solo - on a fretless bass! Starts at min 2:20. While you are at it look at his hat - so want one.
• And if you are really in the mood for more bass:  U-Bassists Abraham Laboriel and Bakithi Kumalo jamming in 2012

Curious if anyone is using music in any other languages - if so, please share. 

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Technique Tuesday - Debating Computer Science

One of the other hats I have worn in my career is that of a debate coach. Lets face it, we love to argue.

Lincoln Douglas Debates

Debate can be a great way to get kids really thinking about a topic. Also I think we all need to learn to disagree civilly. It is the only way to move towards solutions on difficult topics. I use it a few times a year as a way of getting everyone involved in material we are covering.

I start them off with a game we used to play when I was coaching. Then we use this technique in a discussion board debate.

To play the game you divide the team in to two groups and line them up - one pro, one con. Assign the sides before giving the topic. The sides take turns offering points until everyone has gone twice. Team with the highest score wins.

I start them with Resolved: NASCAR is not a sport. We're in the south and every one of my kids has an opinion. You could also do something about cell phones in school, driving age...whatever your kids would get interested in.

Rules? Any good game has rules, and keeping score makes them more engaged:

1. +1 for a new point
2. +1 for asking a question
3. +2 for rebutting a point made by the other side
4. +1 if you cite a source - this is for the discussion board phase.
5. -2 talking during the other sides turn
6. Also, no personal attacks, be respectful, usual class rules apply

NOT that I adjust the points any, but the -2 for talking rule is good for keeping the score close. Try to keep it within about 3 points, if one team is winning by a landslide attention wanders.

We use the same teams for the discussion board debate. We did this last week and the class spent over 45 minutes going back and forth on the topic. A lot more effective than me yammering on forever. I had to kick them off the computers and send them off to their next class. Seriously, writing for 45 minutes.

Topics? Sometimes I chose a news article, but I try to crystallize it down to one core point.

Some ideas:

• Privacy on the Internet
• Tracking devices in cars to monitor speed and safe driving - hot button for sure
• Cybersecurity issues

In short, and computer science topic that related to broader values of society. The real goal is to get them thinking about where computer science fits into the society they live in.

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Discussion Board

Since SIGCSE last week several folks have asked about how I handle discussion boards for the CS Principles class.

I include discussion board topics to gauge how the students are thinking and learning about the topics we cover. It is so much easier to asses code, and it creates a big temptation to fall back on "just coding". The discussion board has been a great way to read along with their learning process.

For this to work we have to really structure it at the beginning. This is not a type of writing that high school students are used to. Add the natural joy they feel at hearing "Now we are going to write about..." it can take a while to get them going.

The first topics of the year year focused on how to effectively participate in a discussion board. Students do not know how to do this yet, so the skill must be taught. Lots of feedback and very clear guidelines are a must.

They must do at least three responses a week. I am very specific about what I am looking for, and what will not count. A response must:

• Move the conversation along, not just rehash other posts
• Add a new analysis or fact to the discussion
• Ask a question ("I don't get it" doesn't count)
• Respond to another student's post ("I agree" or "LOL" is not a response)

Like most things at our level, if it is not graded they will not do it. Rules about language usage help. My students communicate online socially, not for education. I have learned that you must make this distinction very clear. Specifically we follow the 4-P's:

• No Profanity
• No Plagiarism
• No Paraphernalia (drugs, alcohol, etc)
• Play nice - no bullying

I developed these when I was in college sponsoring a local high school's literary magazine and they work in lots of teen-related situations.

This can also be a good time to talk about their digital life. They don't often stop to think about the information they are leaving online for the world to see...this makes a great discussion board topic, in a self-reflexive kind of way.

Need more? This PDF from TeacherStream is one of the best resources on facilitating discussion boards I have found. Edutopia has a whole list of resources for online learning that can be helpful in a traditional classroom also.

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