Professional Development Overview

Goals

The Mobile CSP Professional Development (PD) program aims to prepare teachers to teach the Mobile CSP curriculum which follows the Advanced Placement (AP) Computer Science Principles Framework and is endorsed by the College Board. The PD is designed to be accessible to teachers new to computer science (CS) as well as experienced CS teachers. The PD is focused on providing teachers with:

CS content knowledge required to confidently teach the Mobile CSP curriculum to high school students.
Pedagogical approaches and techniques to effectively support collaboration and equity in the classroom.
Curriculum materials include all lessons, videos, handouts, rubrics and assessments used in the classroom.
Lessons plans and other resources that map the curriculum to the College Board's CS Principles framework.
Mentoring from an experienced teacher and facilitator and continued professional development and support throughout the school year.

What You'll Do in the PD

Introduction to Computer Science Principles and broadening participation in Computer Science
Review the AP CSP Course and Exam Description
Learn about best practices and Computer Science pedagogy
Discuss logistics of running a Computer Science Principles course
Work through a selection of the Mobile CSP course's seven content units which are identical to those completed by the students during the academic year
Maintain an online portfolio of their work
Complete the Create Performance Tasks as well as grade sample projects submissions using the Create Performance Task rubric
Complete the final exam as well as a post-course questionnaire
Receive support from a PD Facilitator who has completed the Mobile CSP PD and taught the Mobile CSP course.

Expectations for Participation

Meet with your PD Facilitator at least three times a week
Discuss content and teaching strategies in PD cohort meetings
Maintain an online portfolio of work which includes completing portfolio reflections for at least 80% of the assigned lessons (both student and teacher)
Complete the final exam and any pre- and post- questionnaires
Complete a Create Programming Performance Task (app development project)
PD Facilitators will review and provide feedback 1-2 times a week

Part 1: The PD Course

The Mobile CSP program offers three types of PD tailored to support individual teacher backgrounds in a flexible schedule and format. Participating teachers are organized into small 10-12 person cohorts that are mentored by a Mobile CSP facilitator during both the PD itself and the subsequent school year.

Immersion PD: This is a 50 hour professional development (including out-of-class assignments) recommended for teachers who have significant background in CS, such as college courses in CS, experience teaching CS, or extended self-study of CS. For example, Exploring Computer Science and AP CS A teachers would typically have sufficient background for Immersion PD.
Extended PD: This is a 4-week intensive summer experience (90-100 hours) that is equivalent to taking a college-level CS Principles course. This PD is recommended for teachers with no prior education or teaching experience in computer science.
Graduate Course: EDU 6720 Computer Science Principles is a 3-credit graduate course through the College of St. Scholastica, learn more at css.edu/csedcert.

Part 2: Academic Year Support & Mentoring

Below is a description of the PD support provided during the academic year.

Professional development through participation in periodic synchronous meetings via Zoom with project leaders and PD facilitators
Classroom support provided by PD facilitators throughout the school year through an online platform and the use of video recorded lessons.
Collaborative support through access to online forums and an e-mail group to share ideas and materials with other Mobile CSP teachers and PD facilitators.

Credentials Offered

Mobile CSP acknowledges the achievement of every teacher who completes the PD program by awarding one of the following:

A Certificate of Participation is given to all teachers who complete the professional development, indicating the number of PD hours.
Graduate Education Credits can also be earned through the College of St. Scholastica by earning a Certificate of Participation from any of the approved Mobile CSP PD courses and completing a student work analysis paper while teaching the CSP course. (Cost: $150/credit. Available in either an Immersion (2 credit) or Extended (3 credit) basis, based on Carnegie Units of 120 hours for 3 credits). The 3 credit option can be substituted for EDU 6720 Computer Science Principles in the four course Certificate of Computer Science Education program. If interested, contact csed@css.edu.

Additional CSP Professional Development Opportunities

College Board Workshops and Summer Institutes. The College Board offers AP CSP specific training (either one day or 30 hours) for teachers preparing to teach the AP CSP course. Teachers may decide to attend a College Board Workshop or Summer Institute training and/or attend a Mobile CSP PD. Attending both is encouraged, but not required. Learn more at https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/professional-development/workshops-summer-institutes.