Teaching Python

The "True Test" for Computer Science Students (and Teachers)

January 9th, 2021
By Kelly Paredes
authentic, authentic assessments, curriculum, grant wiggins, learning, tests

When designing an authentic assessment for Computer Science, we first need to identify what are the actual tasks that we want our students to be good at by the end of the course. The "test" of proficiency in code should not be completed at the end of teaching each concept or done because we need another grade in the gradebook. A well-designed assessment is similar to a programmer's daily role to get the job done.

Setting High Expectations For Authentic Assessments in Computer Science

January 2nd, 2021
By Kelly Paredes
assessment, authentic assessments, authenticity, edutopia, expectations, feedback, grant wiggins, growth mindset, heutagogy, high expectations, learning theories, smart, wiggins

Real-world coding tasks require a specific technique for completion. When solving coding challenges, a high level of coding knowledge and syntax is used. Programming takes commitment to improvement and time spent on iteration. When designing Authentic assessments in Computer Science, try to replicate the patterns in the real world. Setting high expectations for students is a great way to prepare them for authentic assessments. There is a difference in the quality of work when the expectations are NOT to "just get it done" versus doing what you can to learn and understand. Developing a growth mindset early on can help. Empower students and be prepared to provide them with the skills and critical feedback they need to succeed.

Three Learning Theories to Guarantee "The Click"

December 28th, 2020
By Kelly Paredes
bjork, desired difficulties, interleaving, learning strategies, learning theories, learninghowtolearn, mental imagery, mental images, repetition, spacing, teaching

Many learning theories have proven to help learn how to learn. Using a combination of them throughout a course can help to improve click moments for all students.

The Art of Perfecting

December 21st, 2020
By Kelly Paredes
big idea, computer science, curriculum, curriculum review, feedback, learning, learning outcomes, personal learning community, pln, reflection, review, sageonthestage, teaching, teaching python

Reflection regarding curriculum design and learning outcomes should always be at the heart of curriculum planning. Becoming part of the "quality culture" where improvement is the only option, feedback is critical, and alignment to standards and goals are a significant focus is a full-time endeavor.

Six Tips to Improve Information Literacy

December 12th, 2020
By Kelly Paredes

Many computer science tutorials, online or in books, are heavy in text and new vocabulary. Even Python kids' books are heavy in new vocabulary, making the informational text challenging for many students to use. This article is a summary of a presentation I did at a conference.

Developing Critical Thinking Skills with Coding

December 3rd, 2020
By Kelly Paredes
#criticalthinking, #learning, #python

Critical thinking is not “just thinking,” but it is a process of actively evaluating and applying the information to improve upon a process. Students develop many critical thinking skills when they learn to code.

Teaching Python in the News

November 30th, 2020

Here is a compilation of articles, presentations and blogs that Teaching Python has been featured on.

A Bloom's Connection

November 16th, 2020
By Kelly Paredes
blooms_taxonomy, learning, python, resources

Over the years, Bloom's taxonomy has been revised, edited, turned into objectives, and redesigned to show suggestions from multi-layered activities, apps to use to meet Bloom’s taxonomy objectives, and some revisions show the goals as “grouped objectives.” Regardless of the modification, Bloom’s taxonomy is a useful tool to help both teachers and learners identify a learning trajectory that is efficient.

The Metacognitive Process part 3 of 3

November 9th, 2020
By Kelly Paredes
learning, metacognition, python, resources

The Metacognitive Process part 2 of 3

October 22nd, 2020
By Kelly Paredes

Using the same skills that an adept teacher applies in the classroom, such as metacognition, can help one become a better learner. Metacognition helps guide you to change basic facts and vocabulary understanding into a deeper conceptual understanding of any topic.