Teaching Impacts of Technology (for credit)

About This Course

Using a problem-based approach, we look at the impacts computing and technology have had on our society, economy, and culture. Starting from a benefit or concern, we look at issues affecting our relationships, our personal data, the workplace, and global society. We then follow up on related technology or computing innovations that underlie and impact these issues. Through these we'll explore computing systems, networks and the internet, data and analysis, and algorithms and software. Learn with curated, student-appropriate, freely available resources including videos, tutorials, interactive websites, and more.

Analyze and find resources you can use with your students and create and share classroom resources to use these and provided materials.

Course cost: $850 This course confers 4 graduate quarter units of credit. These credits can be used to apply to the California Supplementary Authorization in Computer Science.

Looking for the training, but don't need the credit? Take this course instead.

What you will learn

At the end of this course, teachers-as-students will be able to:

Analyze and communicate about varying impacts of computing on society.

Explore the computing concepts underlying many of the programs and technologies which impact our lives.

Utilize online tools for learning computing concepts and reflect on the ways in which those tools support learning.

Evaluate, critique, and augment lesson plans and online learning resources utilizing a few key cognitive and educational theories and evidence-based practices.

Course Staff

Beth Simon

Dr. Simon has 20+ years experience teaching and improving student outcomes through best practices in introductory programming. She has been involved in K-12 efforts in CS for over 10 years serving as an inaugural piloter of the APCS Principles course, leading the development of California's CS Standards, and offering courses for in-service and pre-service teachers seeking to teach computing in K-12.

FAQs

Does this course help me fulfill the California CTC Supplementary Authorization to teach Computer Science?

Yes, this course covers required content for both the introductory and the subject-specific supplementary authorizations. For a course-by-course listing of coverage of CTC requirements, see here. Note: the CTC does not authorize specific programs for fulfilling supplementary authorizations. Instead you must complete coursework and submit documentation for their review.
Looking for the training, but don't need the credit? Take this course instead.

Why is the class so long? What if I want to complete it sooner?

This course is offered with flexibility for busy teachers in mind. You can complete the course at your own pace, you just need to complete before the "Classes End" date. When you finish your grade will be submitted and you will receive your transcript within 1 month. The course contains ~100 hours of learning materials and activities which you can complete as fast or slowly as you want. We also want you to have access to the course WHILE you are teaching, which is why you have access until summer.

What session should I sign up for?

You have until the session end date to complete each course - the session end date is August 31st, the year after the course started. In general, select the session that has already started, unless you know you won't complete by August of next year, then select an upcoming session.

Can I pay by purchase order?

Yes! Please follow the instructions here to start the process.

Who will help me if I get stuck in the course?

The course is continuously monitored by the professor and designated staff. You are encouraged to ask questions on the course discussion forum and we (and possibly others in the class) will get back to you.
However, this course is designed for you to learn with materials you can turn around and use with your students. We hope you will find the course materials and activities interesting and enjoyable, not dry and onerous.

Can I get more detail on what EXACTLY, I will learn and do in this course?

Yes, as this course was designed specifically with teachers in mind, it differs a bit from courses for computing majors. Check out details about this course here (be sure to scroll to the relevant course).