Computational thinking across disciplines - an overview by Jeannette M. Wing, and a link to a C# programming course for school psychologists

I think every graduate level discipline should offer at least one computer programming class. In today's technological world, it makes sense that any discipline that requires students to take statistics should consider this idea!


One of the first steps to make this happen is to convince people from non-technical fields to learn more about computational thinking.  In my opinion, this needs to start at the university level so that each department has at least one tech-savvy professor who is inspired to figure out how computer programming and computational thinking can help further his or her discipline in some way.  


Below is  video of a presentation about computational thinking by Jeannette M. Wing, a professor of Computer Science and Department Head at Carnegie Mellon University.  If you have an hour to spare, you'll be treated to a good overview of the topic.

At any rate, I was happy to learn that there is a graduate course in C# programming offered by H. A. Chris Ninness, the director of the school psychology doctoral program at Stephen F. Austin State University.

EPS 669:  The C# Computer Language for School and Behavioral Psychologists

"This course provides students with structured lessons and step-by-step guidance in computer programming while they learn to develop and deploy applications using object-oriented computer programming. Students will learn to develop and deploy applications using Object Oriented Programming (OOP) in the Visual C# 2008 /2010 language. The primary focus in this course will be on the 2008 version of Visual C#, supplemented with programming techniques from Visual Basic, C++, and ActionSript 3. Each class will include exercises, didactic instruction, Adobe notes, and hands on practice with an emphasis on developing and deploying a wide range of OOP techniques.
The course is designed to provide school and behavioral psychologists with the necessary skills to adapt their research agenda to the changing face of behavioral technology and applied human-computer interactive research. The course will show students how to computerize stimulus presentations and a wide range of data collection procedures (e.g., functional behavior assessment and rotation scan procedures). The course will provide details regarding the specific programming routines that can be customized and incorporated into human-computer interactive designs. A major component of the course will provide doctoral students in the school psychology program to conduct research based on stimulus equivalence and relational frame theory."

FYI:  I learned C# when I took "Artificial Intelligence for Game Development".  

RELATED

Computational Thinking, Carnegie Mellon University

Google's Exploring Computational Thinking Website

Computational Thinking Across the Curriculum: A Conceptual Framework (pdf)

Two Links: Florida's Tech Integration Matrix; NEWSEUM, an interactive museum with an on-line component

NEWSEUM, a highly interactive museum in DC with an online component


Florida's Technology Integration Matrix for K-12 Teachers

Computer Science in Education Week: Videos, Resources, and Links to Promote Importance of Computer Science and Related Fields

This week is Computer Education in Education Week, part of an effort of ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) and CSTA (Computer Science Teachers Association) to promote awareness of the importance of computer science education in K-12 education. CSTA developed a series of short videos to share with students as part of this effort. The videos highlight the multitude of ways that computer scientists impact our world. In my opinion, the videos would be appropriate for sharing with parents, teachers, school counselors, school administrators, and school board members.

Computer Science and Entertainment


Computer Science and the Environment


Computer Science and Communications


Computer Science and Medicine


Computer Science and Empowerment


To dig deeper into this topic, read Running On Empty: The Failure to Teach K-12 Computer Science in the Digital Age (pdf)

RELATED
CSEd: Computer Science in Education Week
Computing in the Core
Computer Science in Education Facebook Page
Anita Borg Institute for Women and Technology
ACM/CSTA's Recommendations
A Model Curriculum for K-12 Computer Science (PDF)
Google: Exploring Computational Thinking
ACM Computing Careers Website

Cross-posted on the Interactive Multimedia Technology blog.

CyberSmart! Free Cyberbullying Awareness Curriculum, partnership with the National Association of School Psychologists

CyberSmart! Cyberbullying Awareness Curriculum

"NASP is pleased to partner with CyberSmart! to bring to educators and parents theCyberSmart! Cyberbullying Awareness Curriculum, a positive and empowering suite of K-12 lessons provided free to schools. These materials can facilitate prevention of cyberbullying at the classroom level, and help provide outreach to families and the community."

"In developing these lessons, CyberSmart! adopted an integrated approach, examining all current research findings and using best practices from the fields of cyber security, school violence prevention, and character education to affect behavioral change. The new curriculum is designed to guide students to think and act creatively and critically, defining the problems and issues themselves, and thus “owning” them. Without this ownership, no behavioral change can occur."

CYBERSMART WEBSITE

More Multi-touch: Link to Scientific American article.

Scientific American, June, 2008 Hands On Computing: How Multi-touch Screens Could Change The Way We Interact With Computers and Each Other "The iPhone and even wilder interfaces could improve collaboration without a mouse or keyboard. "

"It is easy to imagine how photographers, graphic designers or architects—professionals who must manipulate lots of visual material and who often work in teams—would welcome this multi-touch computing. Yet the technology is already being applied in more far-flung situations in which anyone without any training can reach out during a brainstorming session and move or mark up objects and plans." -Stuart Brown

Comment:
In K-12 settings, this technology would be great for cooperative group learning, technology-supported project-based instructional activities, and group social skills training.