High Engagement: Middle School STEM Computer Programming and Video Games Ryan W. Patton Irving ISD
Modern Industria l Research
Irving ISD Snapshot Population: ca.35,000 students African America: 12% Hispanic: 72% White: 11% Asiatic: 5% Economically Disadvantaged: 83%
Why Computer Programming? 2010-2011: %100 of students enrolled into MIRD program passed Science TAKS 2012-2013: %22.94 increase in math scores Enrollment: 2010-2011: 79 students at 1 school 2011-2012: 172 students at 1 middle school 2012-2013: over 850 students at 8 middle schools Summer 2013: deployed to 20 elementary and 8 middle schools Video Game Fair Attendance: 2011-2012: ca.800 students testing ca.50 projects 2012-2013: 1,253 students testing ca.80 projects Increased Recognition: Corporate Sponsorship Grants for innovative programs Awards
Agenda Goals, Theory, Structure of MIRD Teacher and Student Roles Programming 101 Educational Programming Options Industry and Career Pathway Opinions
Strategic Goals of MIRD Supports mathematics and physical science through programming High Schools: Creates a funnel technology CTE and Computer Science Teaches computational creativity and thinking skills Digital collaboration Digital Literacy High engagement
Theory Driven Curriculum Gardner's Multiple Intelligence Theory Bruner Discover Theory Vygotcky s Zone Proximal Development Flow Theory Student Design Projects Learning Modules
Structure of MIRD Learning Modules Built around 5E Model ESL strategies Differentiation Mathematics emphasis: (Variable Manipulation, XY Coordinates, Algorithms and Functions) Physical Science emphasis: (Newtonian Laws) Digital Literacy Components of Study Online Safety Team Building Programming: Inverted Programming Design Project First JIT: Self sustaining learning modules Self Paced Career Investigation eportfolios Two major projects Competitions Individuals Teams MIRD Fair: school wide engagement for judging
Teachers Role PBL: shift from teacher to coach DBL: shift from teacher and coach, to project manager Define scope Schedule Milestones and Due Dates Procure Resources Manage project processes Job Assignments Stakeholder Liaison to school and community Supply class needed resources Ensure a safe and conducive environment Student Success = Teacher Success = Program Success Recruitment and Retention
Students Role Students Student Code of Conduct Technology Usage Code of Conduct Professionalism Stakeholder Set their own learning objectives and goals Liaison to school and community Supply their own resources Cell Phones Flash Memory Computational technology
Programming 101 Game Engines vs. Programming Languages They are related but not the same Game Engine software provides: Physics, Animation, Collision, Rendering, AI, Networking, Sound, Scripting, Port tools, etc The focus is on deployable games with reusable tools Uses programming languages but it is not entirely necessary to complete a game project; however, can be used to teach programming languages Lessoned learning curve Programming Languages: The user has to create everything through computational logic instructions Skills transfer to business sector and entertainment; highly coveted skill set; $$$$ Steep learning curve due to heavy syntax and idiosyncrasies
Programming 101 Compiled vs. Interpretive Languages Compiled: Turns your written instructions into native code (think of the 1 s and 0 s) Very quick Hard to edit at times (edit-compile-run cycle) Interpretive Reads the code step by step every time you run it Slow Easy to edit (edit-interpret-cycle) Ideal for beginners
Programming 101 Education versus Production Programming Education Quality Codes: Solely made for education Not intended for commercial grade products Lessoned learning curve Lower quality data management Production Quality Codes: Intended for end user and commercial deployment High quality in handling data and abstraction Is used to make the software you use on your computer Steep learning curve
Educational Programming Options Scratch Pros: drag and drop; interpretive; learning community; great for simple 2D games Cons: slow for large programs; very little syntax; can only be deployed to Scratch website Alice Pros: feature rich; drag and drop; functions Cons: small learning community; projects are mainly movies; very little syntax Lego Mindstorms Pros: drag and drop; lessoned learning curve Cons: little syntax; must buy robot$ Greenfoot Pros: Java based; drag and drop and syntax; great for complex games Cons: moderate learning curve And all the rest.
Why is important to students (1/2) Jobs Game Development Level Designer ($45-$75K) Sound Engineer ($45-$75K) Programmer ($60-$100K) Business Related Positions Management Marketing Finance Accounting HR Logistics R&D Project Management Average Programmer Salary $72,000
Why is important to students (2/2) Knowledge Economy Shift away from Vertical Aligned Company Outsource and Contract Work Small, quick, dynamic Amoebic U.S. manufacturing is off-shored and not coming back U.S. programming is following similar trends
Certifications SAS Certified Base & Advanced Programmer GIAC Secure Software Programmer Oracle Certified Professional (Java) Microsoft Technology Associate Microsoft Certified Professional Developer (MCPD) CompTIA Certifications
SWOT Strengths: imagination, excitement, digital natives, real world implications Weaknesses: emerging math skills, new to logic, steep learning curve, maturity Opportunities: supplements math and science, encourage bubble students, skill development for high school CTE Threats: scope creep, budget, resources, admin support