Computer Science Education Week: Hour of Code

This week, Dec. 7-13, is Computer Science Education Week. Teachers are being encouraged to teach an Hour of Code in their classrooms this week. Computer Science Education Week is an annual program dedicated to inspiring K-12 students to take interest in computer science. According to the Computer Science Education Week website, “Computer Science Education Week (CSEdWeek) was founded as a call to action to raise awareness about the need to elevate computer science education at all levels and to underscore the critical role of computing in all careers.”

The Hour of Code is a global movement reaching tens of millions of students in 180+ countries. Anyone, anywhere can organize an Hour of Code event. You can check out information on the Computer Science Education website. They provide one-hour tutorials that are available in over 40 languages. No experience is needed for coding. You can also visit the Hour of Code website to find out more about this initiative. The Hour of Code is organized by Code.org, a public 501c3 non-profit dedicated to expanding participation in computer science by making it available in more schools, and increasing participation by women and underrepresented students of color. An unprecedented coalition of partners have come together to support the Hour of Code, too — including Microsoft, Apple, Amazon, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the College Board.

Pepper Resource Library partner, Graphite, has a many digital tools to support classroom learning. They provide reviews of coding resources and programs for instructional use. You can find them by visiting Graphite in the Pepper Resource Library and searching for “Code”.

Your Pepper Professional Development Courses and Resource Library can help you create a more engaged and active classroom that includes 21st century skills and learning concepts. We’re adding new courses and resources regularly, so be sure to check them out.

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Performance-Based Assessment to Measure Understanding

Performance-based assessment, which became a popular alternative to multiple choice tests in the 1990s, has been overshadowed by the recent emphasis on standardized tests. More recently, however, schools are seeking more authentic measures of student learning, and performance-based assessments are making a comeback. Notable author and education consultant, Jay McTighe, defines a performance task as “any learning activity or assessment that asks students to perform to demonstrate their knowledge, understanding and proficiency.” While most performance tasks tend to be focused in areas of the arts and career technology, McTighe argues that performance tasks should be used for all subjects at all grade levels. Performance tasks allow students to be assessed on their understanding of the content and subject matter, requiring them to use higher order thinking skills to demonstrate their learning.

Patricia Hilliard’s recent article, Performance-Based Assessment: Reviewing the Basics, highlights the essential components of a performance-based assessment. In addition to meeting the standards, the assessment should also be:

1. Complex
2. Authentic
3. Process/product-oriented
4. Open-ended
5. Time-bound

Grant Wiggins and Jay McTighe’s book, Understanding by Design, is an excellent resource for getting started with performance-based assessment. In this book, they encourage teachers to start their planning with the assessment and then work backwards from there to determine what to teach. Hilliard recommends that teachers create performance-based assessments for their students based on this "backward design" process. Below are some suggestions for getting started:

1. Identify goals of the performance-based assessment
2. Select the appropriate course standards
3. Review assessments and identify learning gaps
4. Design the scenario
5. Gather or create materials
6. Develop a learning plan

Pepper provides a wide range of courses for teachers that allow for creative and authentic assessment opportunities. As you participate in Pepper's online learning community discuss with peers and determine ways to create performance-based assessments for your students. Be sure to check out our wide range of Pepper Courses to further your own professional growth.

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