Syllabus

• Course Code: LAI 686
• Instructor Name: Dr. Chris Proctor
• Class Times: Spring 2022, Tuesdays 4:10-6:50
• Format: Online, synchronous
• Email Address: chrisp@buffalo.edu
• Office Location: Baldy 510
• Office Hours: Mondays, 3-4pm and by appointment
• Credits: 3

Course Description

This course centers critical computational literacies as a framework for thinking about how and why we might teach K12 Computer Science (CS). Just as schools participate in broader social systems which shape our lives and which may or may not contribute to a more just and peaceful society, CS is only one part of the work of a school. Our work as CS educators may be constrained by other priorities and stakeholders, and our work can also reshape the work of the school beyond the classroom. We take as our starting point the premise that CS education is currently figured in a way which gives it unusual leverage to reshape K12 educational practice.

Learning Outcome and Program Goals

Course learning outcomes

• Computational literacy: Understand the multiple ways CS can be defined as a K12 disciplinary subject and the consequences of these definitions for teaching and learning.
• Computational culture: Understand the relationship between disciplinary learning goals and broader educational priorities such as antiracism, culturally-sustaining pedagogy, and interdisciplinary computational literacy.
• Computational identity: Understand the needs and perspectives of diverse Computer Science learners, including specific factors within Computer Science which have historically marginalized students and how they can be mitigated.
• Literacy-based CS education: Own your own stance as a teacher, and know how you intend to put your beliefs into practice.

Program Goals

Critical Computational Literacies is part of all of UB's CS Teacher Preparation tracks. The course meets the following program goals in those tracks:

Advanced Certificate in CS

{{< figure src="/images/ccl_outcomes.png" caption="Figure 1. Alignment of program outcomes, course learning outcomes, and assessments. Instructional methods for each assessment are described below." >}}

Mode of Instruction

Critical Computational Literacies is a synchronous online course. Regular attendance, preparation, and participation is essential and required.

Required Text and Materials

There are no texts required to be purchased for this course. All readings will be accessible from the course website. You will need regular access to a computer and a stable Internet connection. If this is a challenge for you, please contact me.

Course Assignments

There are four major assessments in the course. Each is described below; more specific guidelines and examples will be distributed as they become relevant. Figure 1 (above) shows each assessment's relationship to the course learning goals and to broader program goals.

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Grading

Each of the major course assignments will receive a holistic grade and qualitative feedback, guided by the assignment's rubric. One round of resubmission is available for all assignments (time permitting), to be submitted within two weeks of receiving feedback and in all cases no later than two weeks before the end of the course. When resubmitting, students should include a revision note (one page, double-spaced) responding to the feedback and explaining what has been changed.

Assignment grades are weighted as follows:

• Reading journal (20%)
• Technobiography (20%)
• Fieldnotes (20%)
• Teaching statement (40%)

Attendance and participation are expected but are not graded. Similarly, you are expected to complete work on time but there is no grade penalty for lateness. If grades are meant to be a measure of learning or of work quality, I cannot see a justification for lowering grades due to missing class or turning work in late. Instead, I interpret these behaviors as signals that you may be having difficulty in the class, and will check in to see if there is a way I can better support you.