Coding for Kids
The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) recently adopted the Illinois Computer Science Standards, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at revolutionizing education and preparing students for the future. These standards are based on the K-12 Computer Science Framework and the CSTA standards, ensuring a comprehensive and rigorous learning experience for students in Illinois. In this post, we will explore the exciting implications of Illinois Computer Science Standards for schools, the creative potential it unlocks in students, and the transformative impact it has on the state, including the role of Tynker for Schools.
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What it Means for Illinois’ Schools
The adoption of the Illinois Computer Science Standards is a monumental step forward for schools across the state. With these standards in place, Illinois high schools are now required to offer Computer Science education into their curricula for grades 9-12. This not only equips students with essential digital skills but also helps bridge the gap in access to Computer Science education. This requirement ensures that all students will have a solid foundation in Computer Science, regardless of their future career aspirations.
These standards encompass a wide range of concepts and practices, from fostering an inclusive computing culture to reflecting on and revising one’s computational thought processes. They also cover various aspects of Computer Science, including computing systems, networks and the internet, data and analysis, and algorithms and programming
What Computer Science Means for Student Creativity
Integrating Computer Science education into K-12 curricula doesn’t just prepare students for the job market; it also helps unlock their creativity. By learning computational thinking, students can develop innovative solutions to complex problems and gain a deeper understanding of the world around them.
Computer Science and platforms like Tynker empower students to create their own games, stories, and animations, giving them a unique platform for self-expression. As they progress through different grade levels, students will have the opportunity to experiment with various programming languages and tools, fostering their creativity and problem-solving skills.
From designing video games and building robots to creating interactive stories and developing cutting-edge software, Computer Science empowers students to pursue their passions and turn their ideas into reality. Furthermore, Computer Science can be applied across all subject areas, from science and math to social studies and language arts. This interdisciplinary approach helps students make connections between different fields, broadening their perspectives and cultivating a lifelong love of learning.
How Computer Science is Transforming Illinois with Tynker
As Illinois embraces Computer Science education, the state is witnessing a surge in innovation and growth. Schools, organizations, and platforms such as Tynker are playing a pivotal role in this transformation by providing students and teachers with accessible and engaging resources to learn and teach Computer Science.
One example of the positive impact of Computer Science in Illinois is the increase in the number of schools offering AP Computer Science courses. In the 2019-2020 academic year, 241 schools in Illinois offered an AP Computer Science course, a 34-school increase from the previous year. This growth reflects the growing importance of Computer Science in the state’s education system and the commitment to providing students with the skills they need to thrive in the digital age. You can view more of these data here.
Tynker has been instrumental in transforming Computer Science education in Illinois. Our innovative platform provides a fun and interactive way for students to learn programming through games and stories. With Tynker’s engaging curriculum, students develop a strong foundation in programming and design, as well as essential STEM thinking abilities.
Tynker’s comprehensive curriculum is adaptable to various educational settings, allowing schools to integrate Computer Science education into any subject area. Our user-friendly platform empowers teachers with little or no coding experience to incorporate Computer Science directly into their classrooms. The platform also provides valuable resources and assessment tools to help educators monitor student progress and ensure they are meeting the Illinois Computer Science Standards.
We’re so excited to teach and learn with Illinois students!
Access our Illinois Standards Alignment
We’ve outlined our coursework with alignments below.
