According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), careers such as software developers, information analysts, and security analysts are projected to grow (on average) 28% between the years of 2012 and 2022. According to the BLS, this rate of growth is considered “much faster” than average when considering other growth sectors within the economy. According to a recent report entitled Bugs in the System: Computer Science Teacher Certification in the US, the information technology and computing industry cannot find the talent it needs to fill lucrative positions across the country. By 2020, there will be an estimated 9.2 million jobs in the “STEM fields”—those that rely on science, technology, engineering and mathematics—and half of those jobs will be in computing and IT. The Computer Science Endorsement is designed to prepare teacher practitioners who are equipped with communication and teaching skills and who desire a high level of technical competence and exposure to information technology skills. These skills include programming logic and design, application development (computer programming) systems design, development, and implementation. The endorsement also provides knowledge of computer architecture, networks, and databases. The program is content intensive, presented on a graduate level, therefore, teachers must be dedicated creative problem solvers and lifelong learners. Teachers must be change agents within their environments. With the pedagogical strategies and the authentic residency that are incorporated into all courses, there will be a clear focus on the importance of critical thinking and problem solving within the knowledge economy. Other areas of focus include computational thinking, computing practice and programming, computers and communications devices and information technology ethics.
The Computer Science Endorsement consists of four courses along with an authentic residency and must be taken in sequence. Completion of the four courses and residency is required in order to add the Computer Science Endorsement to an existing level 4 teaching certificate or higher. Admission Requirements Candidates for the Computer Science Endorsement must meet the following requirements to apply for the endorsement: *Hold a valid, level 4 or higher Professional, Advanced Professional, or Lead Professional teaching certificate, leadership certificate, life certificate or service certificate *Provide a recommendation letter for participation by their employing principal or school level leadership COURSE TITLE: Principles of Computer Science I (3 credits) 100% online This course provides endorsement candidates with a foundational knowledge of Computer Science. This course provides an overview of the basic concepts in computer science ranging from computer hardware components, interconnection network structures and communication protocols, analysis of computer algorithms to software systems and applications.
COURSE TITLE: Programming Logic & Language (6 credits) 100% online
This course provides endorsement candidates with knowledge in both block-based and object-oriented programming. Common elements of programming environments will be discussed created and manipulated. Topics include numeric data types and variables, decision making structures, arrays, validating input with strings and functions, repetition and multiple forms, test files, lists and common dialog controls.
COURSE TITLE: Concepts of Digital Technology (3 credits) 100% online
This course provides endorsement candidates with knowledge on how computers and the Internet have revolutionized society, and become well-rounded, informed and curious users of computing technologies. The course provides and overview of information systems, computers, and technology.
COURSE TITLE: Teaching Computer Science (3 credits) 100% online
This course provides endorsement candidates an exploration into computer science as a discipline that encourages inquiry, creativity, and collaboration. Given that the nature of computing is investigative, the computer science activities will be hands-on to gain insights about teaching and learning computing concepts in classroom settings. Students will examine a variety of computing tools, virtual environments, and other instructional resources that support learning across STEM disciplines. Endorsement candidates will learn that pedagogical methods in computer science require intellectual rigor in order to develop lessons that are relevant to secondary students and pertinent to our culturally diverse world today.
REQUIRED TEXTBOOK(S)/MATERIALS • Invitation to Computer Science 7th edition: by G.Michael Schneider and Judith Gersting ISBN-13: 978-1305075771ISBN-10: 1305075773 • Computer with Internet Access • Mozilla Firefox or Google Chrome as preferred Web Browsers Additional Resources • Bugs in the System: Computer Science Teacher Certification in the U.S. • Sowing the Seeds: A Landscape Study on Assessment in Secondary Computer Science Education
Other resources are provided within the LMS Tuition: RESA Member Districts-$438 per course for a total of $1750 plus textbooks Tuition: Non-RESA Member-$875 per course for a total of $3500 plus textbooks
|