Chapter 6: Teaching Computer Science
Lesson 2: Computer Science Fundamentals
In this lesson, you will learn more about what computer science is and why it is important for young students to be exposed to and learn about computer science. You will also learn about the benefits of teaching computer science using a robot.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify that a programming language is a set of rules in which symbols represent actions
- Identify that behaviors are actions performed by a robot, and defined by the programming language
- Identify that a robot’s behavior is changed by changing the commands
- Identify that a benefit of teaching computer science to students allows them to develop 21st century job skills
- Identify that a benefit of teaching computer science to students allows them to explore the high-tech world around them
- Identify that a benefit of teaching computer science to students allows them to bring their own digital creations to life
- Identify that a benefit of teaching computer science with a physical robot is that it is motivating and engaging for students
- Identify that learning computer science by coding a robot allows students to make the connection between coding commands and physical robot behaviors
Exploration
Watch this video to learn more about computer science fundamentals and teaching those concepts to young students with VEX 123. In this video, you will learn about:
- What computer science is, including programming languages, behaviors, and sequencing.
- Why teaching computer science early benefits young students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- How engaging young students in computer science is another way of teaching students about the world around them.
- How using robots makes learning computer science fun, hands-on, collaborative, and relevant to the real world.
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UDL Move
Engagement - Optimize relevance, value, and authenticity (7.2): Using the 123 Robot helps students to make the connection between the tangible robot and the abstract computer science concepts they interact with as part of their every day lives. Think about ways to foster these authentic connections for students as you envision yourself teaching with VEX 123.
To learn more about the research and benefits of teaching computer science with VEX 123 and VEX 123 STEM Labs, see the following VEX Library articles.