PFW offering free professional development for computer science teachers

FORT WAYNE, Ind.—Starting in June, computer science teachers in Grades K–12 can enhance their professional development via the IndianaComputes! network. Purdue University Fort Wayne is one of 12 universities and colleges statewide, and the only location in the area, to host the yearlong opportunity.

The goal of the IndianaComputes! network, which is supported financially through a $623,608 contract awarded by the Indiana Department of Education, is to accelerate and deepen computer science capacity for Hoosier educators.

Twelve locations, called CS Homerooms, host 21 online modules. Each module is designed to take roughly four hours per week to complete, with additional support from IndianaComputes! CS faculty. The program wraps up with an immersive capstone event. Participant benefits include course materials for immediate classroom use, a $300 stipend for course completion, opportunities to earn graduate credits, and access to classroom best practices.

“As computer science and STEM faculty who care about teachers, we designed this professional development to support content mastery, provide one-on-one and small-group coaching, emphasize collaboration, and incorporate problem-based learning,” said professor Beomjin Kim, chair of computer science at Purdue Fort Wayne. “Teachers will have ample time to learn and practice using activities and labs, differentiated by grade band.”

To help make instruction most applicable to the curriculum they cover during the school year, participants in Purdue Fort Wayne’s CS Homeroom will be assigned to one of three groups:

• Kindergarten–fifth grade
• Sixth–eighth grade
• Ninth–12th grade

Program activities include graduate-level coursework, monthly workshops, expansion of resources, and ongoing support from CS faculty online and face-to-face, when permitted. Additional information is available at IndianaComputes.net.

Kickoff meetings are scheduled to begin across Indiana the week of June 7. Those interested in learning more about the program and Purdue Fort Wayne’s CS Homeroom may email Kim at [email protected].

For additional information, contact Geoff Thomas at [email protected] or 260-437-7657 (mobile).

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