Indiana Computes
Indiana Computes!, a post-secondary computer science collaboration active at 12 universities and colleges around the state of Indiana, has announced the launch of its CS Homeroom program.
CS Homeroom was developed by the Computer Science Higher Education Advisory Board and will establish regional hubs of computer science educational support. By collaborating with local CS Homerooms, teachers, districts, and students will receive immediate access to supported and sustained computer science resources. The Homeroom educational centers will offer free professional development for teachers at all grade levels, including foundational CS content and pedagogy, scope and sequencing planning for complete coverage of the state standards, coaching for assessing student work, K-8 cybersecurity, CS cross disciplinary integration, and preparation for offering multiple high school courses in the CTE pathways.
“By pooling our resources, we are able to accelerate the computational journey of so many more teachers and students”, said Esfan Haghverdi, executive associate dean for undergraduate education at IU’s School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering and co-chair of the Higher Ed Advisory Board.
In addition to developing teacher capacity, Indiana Computes! also supports high school coursework for students through face-to-face courses, online courses, dual-credit courses, and early admit programs.
CS Homerooms are opening in the computing departments and supporting schools at the University of Notre Dame, Indiana University, IU-Northwest, IU-South Bend, IUPUI, Purdue-Fort Wayne, Ball State, Goshen, Indiana State, Indiana Wesleyan, the University of Evansville and the University of Southern Indiana. Further expansion is planned. Details of the CS Homeroom program will be provided at the upcoming Flipping the Switch Computer Science Summit and Regional Conference, a state-wide event co-hosted by the Higher Ed Advisory Board and held at the University of Indianapolis Sept. 16-17.
“Local schools are already reaching out for support”, said Jeff Kinne, associate professor and assistant chairperson of computer science at Indiana State. “We are looking forward to collaborating with them in the CS Homeroom.”