Information Technology Education

Math this week has taken a computational thinking (CT) twist to it.  We started a series of topics in math that I thought would be powerful if we could apply CT skills to all of these scenarios.  We started with multiplication of fractions.  I had students set up an array of 12 like this: xxxx xxxx xxxx I had them then circle to show 2/3 of 12 and record the answer.  We connected this to Math Practices - model with mathematics.  I had them then extend to show 4/6 of or x 12, 3/6 x 12, 5/6 x 12, 1/6 x 12, 1/4 x 12, 3/4 x 12, 1/3 x 12 with the corresponding answers.  Based on this list of equations, the students were to test out various algorithms until they found a 'set of directions' that would work all the time when multiplying fractions.  This is Math Practice 8:  Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning and 7:  Look for and make use of structure. The interesting thing is that as soon as I gave the directions for this task, the...

Last night, I had the privilege of attending the award banquet for NCWIT aspirations in computing award winners.  24 high school girls were awarded at ASU in the Memorial Union Ballroom for their accomplishments and aspirations to change the world through computing.  Many have been active at their schools involved in engineering clubs, robotics, and computing classes and aspire to lead a tech company, find a  cure for pancreatic cancer, and study engineering management.  ASU faculty and NCWIT representatives were there to encourage the girls to pursue computer science no matter what they eventually decide to do.  I was there with Daisy, a student I taught when she was in 5th grade.  She was on the first robotics team I started and continues to compete at the high school level.  I continue to be inspired by her and many others to bring computing to the next generation of girls. One of the speeches by ASU faculty highlighted the fact that many of the ear...