Computer Science In Schools

Ellipsis Education computer science curriculum is grade-level differentiated, aligns with all state and national computer science standards, and is continually updated to reflect changes in computer science. Since computer science is more than just coding, Ellipsis Education courses include coding, unplugged, digital citizenship, and STEM career lessons as well as hardware integrations.

Traditionally, computer science can be defined as the creation of programs and algorithms that assist in the development of software, systems, and networks. This involves a lot of programming, or coding. While coding is certainly an important part of computer science, it’s only one part of the field. Other aspects of computer science include computer literacy, educational technology, digital citizenship, and information technology. Computer science education programs help students learn all these aspects of computer science. As a guide for teachers, there are many sets of K-12 computer science education standards that ensure students learn all the most important concepts. Let’s look at some examples of each of these parts in the classroom, and you’ll see how each one shows the importance of teaching computer science in schools.

• Programming: In the classroom, students typically utilize a device to practice coding.  Coding languages range from block coding, like in Scratch, to Python, a text based language.  Try out our free lesson offerings below:

  • Free K-2 Scratch Jr Lesson

  • Free 3-5 Scratch Lesson

  • Free 6-8 JavaScript Lesson

  • Free 9-12 Python Lesson

• Computer Literacy: Students practice the general use of computers, such as searching the internet for a reliable source or creating a PowerPoint presentation. Download a free lesson that teaches cybersecurity and how to navigate the internet safely.

• Educational Technology: This involves using technology to enhance the learning experience in other subjects, such as a group of students collaborating on a research paper. Students can use Google Docs or Microsoft 365 for projects like this.

• Digital Citizenship: Students need to understand the responsible use of technology, such as having safe passwords, interacting appropriately on social media, and preventing cyberbullying. We offer a free digital citizenship lesson to help you in your classroom.

• Information Technology: This focuses on installing and operating software and bug fixes. While your students are practicing any of the above parts, they may need to troubleshoot the program they are using.

The importance of computer science education is clear as technology continues to advance.  Early introduction to these parts of computer science in education gives students exposure and helps them develop interest in becoming a computer scientist one day. If they don’t want to become a computer scientist, it helps them develop the skills they need to be successful in a technology-enabled workplace.

You may be wondering why it is important to teach computer science in elementary school. The earlier students discover computer science, the more skills they will be able to apply in the future. The basic building blocks of coding taught in elementary school, such as loops, functions, and conditionals, can be applied to more complex languages. Download this free computer science for primary school PDF that gives students the opportunity to practice block coding. As students progress to more advanced projects, such as developing websites, programs, and games, they are motivated to connect with their world and empowered to expand their skills. Students also practice the communication, collaboration, computational thinking, and creative skills they will need to be successful later in their educational careers. What other benefits does K-12 computer science provide? In this blog, we explore computer science education research and how it benefits academic achievement in other subject areas. For example, in this computer science education pdf, it was found that students who studied CS achieved greater gains in mathematics than students who did not study CS.

It is clear that computer science in primary schools is not just about coding. Standards for elementary computer curriculum K-5 also include digital citizenship, STEM careers, and more. In a society where children are interacting with technology daily, it is important to foster responsible and creative learning around computer science. That’s why our computer science curriculum for elementary school includes more than just coding. Our lessons include a variety of computer science activities for elementary students. For example, in this free digital citizenship lesson, students learn about safe internet use including password safety and leaving a good digital footprint. Additionally, we offer a student-friendly My STEM Career podcast, in which we interview STEM professionals. For example, check out this interview about the 3D printing industry.

Our world is growing and thriving off of technology.  On a daily basis, we use devices and applications that make our lives easier and more efficient.  From texting to Googling to scrolling through social media, we interact with computers constantly. It is amazing to think about the impact technology and computer science has made on the way we live. But what is the importance of computer science, and why is computer science important to society?

At Ellipsis Education, we interview professionals from many career paths and listen to how they use computer science in their day to day. Of course, you would expect someone like a software engineer to use computer science frequently.  But did you know that even someone like a patent lawyer or a doctor uses computer science at work, too? In fact, there are many careers that involve computer science. Out of 7.7 million people who say they use computers in complex ways at their jobs, 3.9 million have jobs in STEM fields and 3.8 million have jobs in non-STEM fields. Society is becoming more dependent on computers and technology, and it is important for people to know how to interact with it. Whether students earn a computer science education degree or pursue a different field, computer science skills are an asset that will help them throughout their lives. So when you ask yourself, “Why is computer science important?”, remember that it’s not just coding and programming – it’s skills that are essential for the world we live in today.

When students experience a K-12 computer science education, it’s possible that they may take interest in a computer science career.  On a professional level, companies are recruiting for computer science jobs in cloud computing, app development, and statistical analysis. Beyond the obvious concentration in computer science, there are many related areas of study like computer information systems, information technology, computer software and applications, and computer systems networking. Equipping students in K-12 schools with CS education opens the doors for them to pursue computer science career paths.

Let’s explore some options for post secondary education in earning a computer science degree. Providing K-12 students with computer science education can help them get into the best computer science schools. Some of the top computer science universities in USA include Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, and Stanford University. These schools can even be found in the top 5 of the best computer science schools in the world! To view a list of the top 50 computer science universities in the world, visit this US News page. Despite that list, there are great universities and colleges in all 50 states. You can use the Niche website to search by state and by degree.

Students studying computer science at the post secondary level may be interested in the salary expectations. The computer science salary is one of the highest paying career fields in the world. Despite this, there are an estimated 1.4 million CS jobs in the United States and only about 400k computer science students at the postsecondary level. This deficit in CS workers is causing the US economy to lose out on a 500 billion dollar opportunity to grow! When students study computer science, they have a direct influence on contributing to this economic growth. As technology continues to advance, the need for CS jobs will only become greater. Ensuring that students receive computer science education in K-12 can help these students pursue CS at the postsecondary level and in their careers.

Ellipsis Education provides full-year K-12 computer science curriculum. The curriculum offers grade level differentiated learning pathways, aligns with all state and national computer science standards, and is continually updated to reflect changes in computer science. Ellipsis Education computer science education courses are customized to districts’ unique instructional strategy for computer science integration. This can mean incorporating computer science into an existing class period, adding to a specials rotation, or introducing a stand alone class. Courses are delivered with instructional resources teachers need to feel confident teaching computer science.

Our computer science curriculum for K-2 empowers you to engage your students with courses that fuel their interest. Coding lessons use ScratchJr, an introductory block coding language platform, perfect for emergent and early readers. Try one of our free K-2 coding lessons. In grades 3-5, inspire your students with courses that spark their creativity. Coding lessons use Scratch, a block based coding language platform, ideal for the transitional and fluent reader. Download a free 3-5 Scratch lesson.

Our computer science curriculum middle school (6-8) helps you motivate your students with courses that connect to their world. Coding lessons use line based languages JavaScript, HTML, CSS, and Java to explore programming options. This free lesson involves students practicing JavaScript and HTML.

Our computer science high school curriculum (9-12) helps you empower your students with courses that expand their skills. Coding lessons use JavaScript, Java, Python, and Godot to develop websites, programs, and games. Download a free Python lesson to try with your high school students.

Explore our full course offering on our courses page. To see how Ellipsis Education aligns with national sets of standards, including CSTA K-12 Computer Science Standards (2017) and the K-12 Computer Science Framework, visit our K-12 Computer Science Standards page.