Code.org introduces self-paced, online learning option to jumpstart teaching CS Discoveries
Start teaching Code.org’s middle school CS curriculum with this new, self-paced Professional Learning option.
Teachers are at the heart of our work at Code.org, and we are committed to expanding our Professional Learning offerings to support teachers in every stage of their computer science teaching journey, no matter where they are.
To help fill a growing need and allow even more teachers to begin teaching computer science, we’ve created the first-ever self-paced Professional Learning course to prepare educators who want to start teaching our CS Discoveries curriculum.
Interested teachers can learn more and start the course today here.
CS Discoveries is our computer science curriculum designed for 6–10th grade students. It is mapped to CSTA standards and covers topics such as artificial intelligence, problem solving, programming, physical computing, user centered design, and data, while inspiring students as they build their own websites, apps, animations, games, and physical computing systems.
This new self-paced Professional Learning option is designed to support teachers who are unable — or not ready — to participate in the facilitator-led Professional Learning program.
Code.org’s traditional professional learning options for CS Discoveries and CS Principles, our curriculum for students in grades 9–12, include a week of facilitator-led summer workshops followed by four additional sessions throughout the year. We understand that many teachers are unable to attend in-person workshops due to time or distance constraints, or simply need more flexibility and freedom to pursue Professional Learning on their own time.
This new self-paced online option allows teachers to familiarize themselves with the platform and materials, while building their confidence in the course at no cost to the teacher or their school. The four modules in the course will help teachers learn to navigate Code.org, understand the material in the CS Discoveries curriculum, and develop familiarity with course pedagogy and teaching concepts. It takes about 3 hours to complete.
The self-paced online experience will focus on connecting teachers with the basic support needed to get started teaching CS Discoveries, while the facilitator-led professional learning program offers more comprehensive support, including the opportunity to collaborate and connect with other CS teachers and practice new teaching strategies.
We hope this expanded offering encourages and allows even more teachers to start teaching computer science in their classrooms today. We can ensure every student, in every school, has a chance to learn this foundational subject by giving every teacher a chance to learn first.
-Jackie Smalls, Chief Programs Officer, Code.org
Note: Professional Learning opportunities for CS Fundamentals, our curriculum for K-5th grade students, has been updated to align with the 2021–22 version of the course but otherwise remain unchanged.
