Mobile CSP PD Structure

View the Teacher PD Course.

In an effort to help teachers who may be unfamiliar with Computer Science Principles or who may never have taught Computer Science previously, Mobile CSP provides professional development to educators wishing to use the Mobile CSP curriculum. During the PD, teachers work through a selection of the Mobile CSP lessons in an accelerated fashion, and then, for each lesson, discuss and reflect upon how they would teach that lesson. After each lesson teachers also evaluate their ability to teach that specific lesson. The teachers are grouped into small cohorts averaging from 8-12 teachers per cohort. Each cohort is lead by a Mobile CSP PD Facilitator (an experienced Mobile CSP teacher that has received facilitator training). The PD Facilitator supports the cohort during the PD through web conferences and webinars. They also provide classroom support during the school year. The cohorts also provide 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.

Goals

CS content knowledge
Pedagogical approaches and techniques
Curriculum materials
Lessons plans and other resources that map the curriculum to the College Board's CS Principles framework
Mentoring from a PD Facilitator who has experience teaching Mobile CSP

Overview

Part 1: The PD Course

Mobile CSP offers two types of PD courses. An Immersion PD is a short course (~ 50 hours) recommended for teachers with signficant experience or knowledge of computer science. In this course teachers will be introduced to the CSP framework and to the main goals and content and pedagogy of the Mobile CSP course. They will experience a small sample of the course's lessons but will be expected to master the content and pedagogy on their own.

The Extended PD (~ 90-100 hours) is 4-week course recommended for teachers who lack significant prior knowledge of computer science. In this course teachers spend approximately 25 hours per week working through a large selection of the Mobile CSP lessons in an accelerated fashion, and then, for each lesson, discuss and reflect upon how they would teach that lesson. After each lesson teachers evaluate their ability and confidence to teach that specific lesson. During the Extended course teachers will:

be introduced 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 the same as those completed by the students during the academic year,
maintain an online portfolio of their work,
complete tthe 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.

Part 2: Academic Year Follow-Up

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

Professional development through participation in periodic hangouts and webinars 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.

Expectations

Meet with your PD Facilitator at least twice a week (recommend attending 3 meetings per 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