How Do I Start Teaching CS? Your CS Questions Answered

Teachers know how to ask the right questions – and when it comes to teaching computer science, you have a lot of questions.

Lucky for you, Cody is here! Cody is your pal with CS teaching know-how…or at least, he’s friends with some of Illinois’ computer science and STEM education experts. 

Let their experience and advice guide you as you turn CS questions into CS opportunities:

Dear Cody: I’m really eager to bring CS learning opportunities to my school, and my principal is on board. But we don’t know where to start. What are the best resources or programs to help us get off the ground?

Sarah Phelps, Director of CS & STEM: Start with simple, free tools that help you get a foot in the door. As you explore and try out different options, supplement those tools with resources that can grow with your program.

A couple of my favorites for first-timers:

Collaboration is also a key to CS success from the very start. I always invite schools in the process of developing a CS program to take part in the LTC’s monthly CS & STEM networking group. This is a phenomenal chance to ask questions, discover new resources, and connect with other CS and STEM enthusiasts from across the state.

Dear Cody: I really want to add CS to my classroom curriculum, but I don’t have the time or resources. I haven’t taught coding or robotics at all, so I’m not confident that I can do it right. What can I do to make teaching CS more achievable?

Sarah Phelps, Director of CS & STEM: First off, you can teach CS, even if there are a few barriers in your way right now.

For the barrier of time, many teachers utilize cross-curricular activities to incorporate CS and STEM concepts into their content area lessons. Not only does this allow for students to grow in their CS and STEM knowledge, but also supports critical thinking, problem-solving, and computational thinking – all of which are valuable for engaged math, social studies, and ELA inquiry. 

Cross-curricular activities can also offer ample space for collaboration, communication, and creativity, giving CS a foothold in your classroom that brings out the best in your existing curriculum.

Funding is another notable barrier. Fortunately, there are lots of free, high-quality resources that teachers can pick and choose from when selecting a lesson or building a curriculum. Code.org, Experience CS, CodeHS, and TeachEngineering are all popular and offer standards-based curricula at no cost.

As for confidence, I’ll say it again: you can teach CS! Two ingredients that can boost your confidence in under a year are an effective, reliable professional learning network and relevant professional learning.

The former is available each month through the LTC’s CS & STEM networking meetings. These monthly meetings bring together CS educators from throughout the state and offers space to ask questions, explore new resources, and connect with a like-minded community of practice. For the latter, each summer’s CS PD Week is a sure-fire ticket to learning about the strategies and curricula that make engaging CS learning a reality.

Dear Cody: My rural school district tried to start a CS program, but it flopped. How can my district scale up a CS program sustainably?

Sarah Phelps, Director of CS & STEM: No matter your size (but especially for smaller districts), it’s essential to identify and utilize resources that fit your district’s needs and goals.

Lisa Schwartz, Regional Edtech Coordinator (Western Illinois): For rural districts, isolation can cause even the best effort toward CS adoption to fizzle.

One approach that counteracts isolation is the creation of a regional cohort. Chances are, there are other schools or districts in your geographic area working toward CS adoption. They may be working through similar roadblocks as you, so it’s valuable to link up and share what curricula you’re using, what funding you’re seeking, and what professional development you’re taking part in.

Out in western Illinois, we are currently in year three of a successful STEM cohort program that consists of 20 school districts (with support from sponsor DOT Foods). 

Through the cohort, participating teachers gain hands-on experience with diverse STEM tools and resources, as well as the pedagogical knowledge to implement them with their own students. Many of them may not have a strong STEM background, but they are enthusiastic about learning how to integrate STEM lessons into their daily instruction.

Throughout the year, cohort members meet to share and discuss the lessons they have tried in their classrooms. This collaborative environment allows them to lean on and support educators from other districts, many of whom can relate to their challenges and successes. The teachers participating in this cohort are also becoming leaders within their own districts, effectively helping other teachers incorporate STEM into their classrooms.

Cody is ready to hear it! But for a quicker answer about CS teaching resources, strategies, or professional learning opportunities, our CS & STEM team is always eager to hear from you.

You can also find resources for teachers, district leaders, and anyone eager to kickstart CS learning on our CS & STEM hub.