Computer Science (CS) and Computational Thinking (CT) International Perspectives on Developing Student and Teacher Competencies

Abstract

Our proposed panel represents a variety of viewpoints on Computer Science (CS) and Computational Thinking (CT) in higher education teacher preparation programs. The goal of our panel discussion will be to present our varied research in the field so that the audience can experience cross disciplinary viewpoints on CT and CS. We are interested in facilitating a discussion on how CS and CT competencies can be interpreted for K12 students, in-service and pre-service teacher educators across content areas and in global contexts. This panel will discuss how educators and researchers in the US and Germany are focusing on addressing these crucial needs in CS education to meet pre-service and in-service teachers needs as well as examining student understanding. In October of 2014 the members of this proposed panel attended the KoKoHS “Development of Joint Research on the Assessment of Higher-Education Competencies” research conference funded by the German Ministry of Education and Research. This panel on Computational Thinking (CT) is a product of our discussions and research at the conference. Aman Yadav, Leigh Graves Wolf and Jon Good represent Michigan State University and a practitioner perspectives for integrating computational thinking principles into teacher professional development in the United States. Melanie Margaritis represents the University of Paderborn and Marc Berges represents the Technische Universitat Munchen, both situated in Germany . They present a research perspectives on computer science teaching and teacher preparation. Petra Fisser, our discussant, offers yet another perspective as an ICT Research & Advisory consultant with the Dutch Ministry of Education.