Posted by CS Teacher Standards Resource Writers on Jul 08, 2021
Icon of a computer with a pencil and ruler being shown on the screen. The represents CSTA 2021 Instructional design
View CSTA 2021 session recommendations aligned to Standard 4. Instructional Design.

Full Story

With more than 200 sessions to choose from, we know that planning for the CSTA 2021 Conference might feel a little overwhelming. This year, sessions are aligned to the CSTA Standards for CS Teachers to help you find targeted PD to address your professional learning goals.
To make it easier to find sessions, CS teacher standards resource writers have made recommendations for sessions aligned to each indicator of the standards. We will publish these recommendations for one standard each day this week. Today’s focus is Standard 4. Instructional Design:
Effective CS teachers design learning experiences that engage students in problem solving and creative expression through CS, using pedagogical content knowledge (PCK). They plan to meet the varied learning, cultural, linguistic, and motivational needs of individual students in order to build student self-efficacy and capacity in CS.

4a. Analyze CS curricula

The TEC Rubric to Evaluate and Improve Computing Curricula
Session presented by Kristan Beck, David Weintrop, Jen Palmer, and Merijke Coenraad, on Thursday, July 15, from 1:45 – 2:30 p.m. ET

4b. Develop standards-aligned learning experiences

Children’s Literature as a Bridge for CT Integration 
Session presented by Ashley Andrews, Jennifer Albert, Deepti Joshi, Robin Jocius, and Melanie Blanton, on Wednesday, July 14, from 4:10 – 4:55 p.m. ET 

4c. Design inclusive learning experiences

Three-part series: 
Know Ourselves: Affirming Identifies, Culture, & Heritage 
Session presented by John Underwood, Elizabeth Naameh, and Shiela Lee, on Wednesday, July 14, from 4:10 – 4:55 p.m. ET 
Know Our Community: Affirming Student Voices 
Session presented by John Underwood, Elizabeth Naameh, and Shiela Lee, on Wednesday, July 14, from 5 – 5:45 p.m. ET 
Know Our World, Connecting CS to Current Events & the World 
Session presented by John Underwood, Elizabeth Naameh, and Shiela Lee, on Thursday, July 15, from 1:45 – 2:30 p.m. ET 

4d. Build connections between CS and other disciplines

CS Everywhere: Integrating Cross-Curricular, Unplugged CS
Session presented by Andrea Schmutz and Deborah Ivie, on Thursday, July 14, from 4:10 – 4:55 p.m. 

4e. Plan projects that have personal meaning to students

10 Steps to Hosting an App Design and Prototyping Summer Camp 
Poster session presented by Chris Turnbull. Head to the “Expo and Posters” area anytime during the conference to view. 

4f. Plan instruction to foster student understanding

Foster Computational Thinking by Building Games in ScratchJr 
Session presented by Bill Marsland and Polly Chen, on Thursday, July 15, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET

4g. Inform instruction through assessment

Equitable Assessment Methods in Computer Science 
Session presented by Ruth Farmery and Arianna Benson, on Wednesday, July 14, from 5 – 5:45 p.m. ET 


There are so many more to choose from! Use the agenda page to filter down our program. We cannot wait to connect with you during these sessions and more during CSTA 2021! If you haven’t yet registered, head over to the CSTA 2021 website, and secure your spot by July 8.