Teaching Computational Thinking through Mobilize and the New Big Data Explosion
Abstract
"At the outset of Mobilize, "Big Data" had not yet exploded into the public realm. The new Mathematics Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards did not exist. We have embraced these developments as a key opportunity to introduce Computational Thinking (CT) through participatory sensing to math and science students and teachers. We have developed 1) an Introduction to Data Science curriculum, and 2) CT lessons for mathematics (Algebra I) and science (Biology) instruction. Both are dependent upon teachers engaging their students critically with data. Our biggest challenge is to develop teacher professional development and support systems that deepen content and pedagogy knowledge for inquiry and equitable teaching of these topics."