Auththentic Learning for Middle Schoolers

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Permalink Reply by Marie G. on April 5, 2010 at 8:31am

Here is something to consider about authentic learning in your quest for resources. If you can find a complete set of resources specifically for a 6th and 7th grade computer technology class, it probably isn't very authentic. Authenticity comes from the real concerns and interests of your middle schoolers combined with real world applications of what they are learning. Think of the skills that they must learn in your class. What is a way of using those skills in a real world application that is relevant to your students? The answer to that question will be an authentic learning experience for your students.

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Permalink Reply by Jane Strohm on April 5, 2010 at 10:04am

Many of these can be adapted for the grade level. In particular - CS Unplugged because it requires no computers.

Computer Science for Fun - cs4fn: HOME
http://www.cs4fn.org
interactives and explorations related to computer science.

Computer Science Unplugged |
http://csunplugged.com/
activities to teach computer science without a computer

Computer Science Teachers Association - Other Repositories
http://csta.acm.org/Resources/sub/OtherRepositories.html
Links to other resources for teaching computer science

Computer Science Teachers Association - Highlighted Resources
http://csta.acm.org/Resources/sub/HighlightedResources.html
side bar links to downloadable curriculum for computer science including Exploring CS, e binders for teachers, implementation documents

NCWIT : Resources : NCWIT Resources : Programs-in-a-Box
http://www.ncwit.org/resources.res.box.html
Unplugged lesson pdfs for mentoring, computer science, and other.

Packetville: Welcome Instructors & Administrators!
http://clients.jway.com/packetville/teachers/index.html

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