Work Fairs 2013

An Introduction to Python, Python Gaming and the Raspberry Pi

Gerald Chung (Gerald.Chung@eips.ca)
Bev Facey Community High School (99 Colwill Blvd, Sherwood Park)

Mon-Tue, July 29-30, 2013

Python is one of the more important languages currently being used for teaching CS. In this session teachers will be introduced to the language, look at online resources such as eBooks and websites and walk thru a number of useful projects. We will look at the interactive shell, basic structures such as strings and write a number of increasingly sophisticated programs.

Using the Raspberry Pi and Cisco Networking in Your Classroom

Gerald Chung (Gerald.Chung@eips.ca)
Bev Facey Community High School (99 Colwill Blvd, Sherwood Park)

Wed-Thu, July 31-Aug 1, 2013

Small breadboard computers are becoming more common in CS courses. In this session teachers will be introduced to the Raspberry Pi, one of the newest of these types of computers. More specifically participants will do some Pi programming in Python as well as using it to run applications such as the XBMC Media Center. Given the nature of the Pi, this session will act as a transition from pure programming to hardware manipulation and application incorporation. Participants will also have the option of buying one or more Pi computers.

Kids, Computing and Project Based Learning - Creating Project Based Learning Materials with Scratch

Harvey Duff (hduff@ualberta.ca)
University of Alberta

Thu-Fri, Aug 8-9, 2013

Project Based Learning is assuming a more important role in education as more curricula move from teacher centered to student centered learning approaches. This is especially the case in CSE and in the CTF curriculum currently under development.

In this session teachers will use the Scratch programming language to develop Project Based Learning materials that they can use in their classrooms. More specifically these projects will focus on developing the kinds of computational thinking and creative computing skills called for by these curricula.

Game Maker - A Computer Science Tool for Grades 7-12

Scott Couprie (Scott.Couprie@epsb.ca) & Lance Pederson (Lance.Pedersen@epsb.ca)
Jasper Place High School (8950 163 St, Edmonton)

Mon-Tue, Aug 19-20, 2013

Game Maker is a great tool for engaging students in Computer Science. It can be used to at the early junior high levels to introduce computing logic AND can be used to teach advanced Object Oriented Programming concepts to upper high school students. It is flexible, fun and challenging all at the same time.

Whether you are a junior high teacher looking for Project Based Learning activities, an Information Processing teacher looking to inject some fresh ideas or a seasoned Computer Science teacher, Game Maker is a tool you should be using.

Assessment in Computer Science

Scott Couprie (Scott.Couprie@epsb.ca) & Lance Pederson (Lance.Pedersen@epsb.ca)
Jasper Place High School (8950 163 St, Edmonton)

Wed-Thu, Aug 21-22, 2013

Last summer, eight Northern Alberta Computer Science teachers gathered to start a very important discussion. The Computer Science curriculum documents are rich with terminology but are very open to interpretation on delivery. This group of teachers therefore engaged in a two day exploration of the curriculum with the goal of creating assessment standards for CSE.

The participants included beginning teachers and seasoned veterans and everyone described the experience as extremely valuable. At the end of the sessions, the following working document was published: http://tinyurl.com/CSE-Assessment

But the work is unfinished. It is now time to gather together and discuss exemplar projects, engage in marking standard discussions and look at project credit options. The work fair is for anyone interested in learning more about teaching Computer Science. The philosophy of the day will tailor towards flexibility of curriculum, of language and teaching tools and will assume that there will be no standard text or resource.