clint chan lynnwood high school chanc@edmonds.wednet.edu

Using Computer Science Resources in Math Class

Clint ChanLynnwood High School

chanc@edmonds.wednet.edu

Why Computer Science?Computer Science is not just programmingCS and Math have the common goal of

getting students to persist in problem solvingUse computational thinking to support

development of problem-solving skills, modeling, proof…

Computational ThinkingComputational thinking (CT) is a problem-solving process that

includes (but is not limited to) the following characteristics: Formulating problems in a way that enables us to use a

computer and other tools to help solve them.Logically organizing and analyzing dataRepresenting data through abstractions such as models and

simulationsAutomating solutions through algorithmic thinking (a series of

ordered steps)Identifying, analyzing, and implementing possible solutions with

the goal of achieving the most efficient and effective combination of steps and resources

Generalizing and transferring this problem solving process to a wide variety of problems

Working definition from International Society for Technology in Education

CS Resources for Math ClassesLast year was the first year I taught high

school Computer Science (AP & Intro)Supplement existing math unitsIn the past, I’ve done introductory computer

science units after AP Calc examCould be used in a class, or in after-school

club settingDue to the time constraints, we’ll zip through

a list of resources… find 1 or 2 to try later…My “Top-10” list of CS Resources – literally,

just the tip of the iceberg:

10. LightBot 2.0I can see using this as a way to introduce the

concept function in Algebra 1, or recursive definitions in Algebra 2…

http://coweb.cc.gatech.edu/ice-gt/1835

9. CS Unpluggedhttp://csunplugged.org/Learn about CS concepts, such as binary

numbers, image representation, … Computer Science, without a computer…Activities for all levels and ages

8. Exploring Computer ScienceMiddle School / Early High School curriculumActivities in 1st 2 units good for group work

or norm setting that can be used in math classes

http://www.exploringcs.org/curriculum

7. AP Computer Science PrinciplesComputer Science: Principles is a proposed

AP course under development that seeks to broaden participation in computing and computer science..

“Not just changing content, changing how CS is taught and in turn, who chooses to take it.”http://csprinciples.orgLanguage-independentAP exam will include a portfolio pieceNot a replacement nor a prerequisite for AP CS

AIntroductory course primarily for non-majors

6. UC Berkeley CS 10 & SNAP!CS 10: The Beauty and Joy of Computing

UC Berkeley’s version of the CS Principles course

http://bjc.berkeley.edu/http://inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/~cs10

Scratch / BYOB / SNAPBYOB / SNAP is Scratch with the ability to do

functionsFocus on design and larger issues, while

minimizing syntax errorshttp://byob.berkeley.edu/

5. UW CSE 120 & ProcessingUW uses Processing for their version of the

CS Principles course.http

://www.cs.washington.edu/education/courses/cse120/13wi/

http://www.processing.org/Processing aims to make art and data

visualization accessibleSyntax still an issue for some students… but

overall, more accessible (to start) than Java, in general.

4. Trinity College CS 110 & AppInventorTrinity College uses AppInventor for their

version of the CS Principles course.http://www.cs.trincoll.edu/~ram/cpsc110/http://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/http://appinventor.mit.edu/explore/teach.htmlStill under active development – meaning

things (stability of system) can change from day, as I found out last year…

3. Blown to Bits & Other BooksCurrent events / ethical and social implicationsBlown to Bits (http://www.bitsbook.com/)Program or Be Programmed (

http://www.rushkoff.com/program-or-be-programmed/)

Prisoner’s Dilemma (http://www.amazon.com/dp/038541580X)

Crypto: How the Code Rebels Beat the Government – Saving Privacy in the Digital Age (http://www.nytimes.com/books/first/l/levy-crypto.html)

2. AP Computer Science AJava 5.0 or betterhttp://

apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/public/courses/teachers_corner/4483.html

UW CSE 142 (http://www.cs.washington.edu/education/courses/cse142)

UC Berkeley (http://www-inst.eecs.berkeley.edu/~cs61b/)

My class webpage (http://home.comcast.net/~chan1213/ap_cs/)

1. CSTA / CS4HSCSTA: Computer Science Teachers Association

(http://csta.acm.org/)Membership is freeReceive announcements about workshops and

eventsAttend local chapter meetings

CS4HS: Computer Science for High School WorkshopsWatch for announcmentsSponsored by Google in partnership with local

universitiesEach event has a slightly different focus

Questions?

Clint Chanchanc@edmonds.wednet.edu