Hours of Code: Coding as an Issue of #techquity

The week of December 7-13 was Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) and an occasion for teachers to engage in the Hour of Code. The Hour of Code initiative is aimed at introducing students to computer programming using a range of online tutorials and projects, and offline activities that engage learners in computational thinking. Code.org, an Educator Innovator partner and the organization behind this effort, cites some sobering statistics that illustrate equity issues in computer science education at the K-12 and higher education levels, with women and students of color being especially underrepresented in computer science classes or lacking opportunities to take such classes at their schools. Our panel of educators shared the work they do to get teachers and students interested in coding during CSEdWeek. They also discussed how coding is emerging as an essential literacy skill and considered the statistics offered by Code.org as a jumping off point for a conversation about technology and equity (#techquity).

View the Conversation
During the broadcast, the conversation also took place on Twitter using the hashtag #connectedlearning.

Guests for this webinar included:

• Joe Dillon (host), Instructional Technologist and Teacher-Consultant, Denver Writing Project
• Kim Douillard, Teacher of a multi-age class at Cardiff Elementary School in San Diego and Director of the San Diego Writing Project
• Al Elliot, 5th Grade Teacher at Green Valley Elementary School in Hoover, Alabama and Ph.D. student at the University of Alabama, Birmingham
• Sarah Woodard, High School English Teacher and Co-Director of Teacher Programs and Director of Youth Programs, Denver Writing Project 
• Andrea Zellner, Oakland Schools Tech Integration Specialist in Pontiac Schools, Pontiac, MI

Resources for this webinar:

• Hour of Code
• Code.org
• Computer Science Education Week
• Scratch (mentioned in hangout)
• Webmaker X-Ray Goggles   (mentioned in hangout)
• Mozilla Learning Networks   (mentioned in hangout)
• Creative Computing Curriculum Guide  (mentioned in hangout)
• Hour of Code Suggestions by Grade Level by Ask a Tech Teacher  (mentioned in hangout)

Photo / Globaloria.com