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Students gain necessary skills to enter the workforce when exposed to computer science early on. In order to provide exposure at an early age, computer science lessons need to be integrated into the preexisting curricula. Physical computing devices provide engaging opportunities to support student learning about computer science yet, the financial commitment is impractical.
As a diverse district, we have made it a priority to provide more equitable access to computing devices and lesson resources to our student population and in response, Springfield Public Schools curated a district lending library over two and a half years ago.
Our purpose for this presentation is to share our district’s experience, providing participants with one approach to building their own lending library, in order to expand equity in computer science. By the end of the presentation participants will learn about the opportunities that a lending library will bring to their students and will be inspired to consider what would be needed to plan and build a lending library in their own school or district.
Activator-5 minutes
-Participants will be asked to name their favorite computing device or what was their first piece of technology they remember using. Nearpod Collaborate Board, Wordle, or Padlet will be used. Access will be provided by using a QR code in the presentation.
Background-10minutes
-Who is Springfield Public School? Demographics and images provided
-Our why for beginning our district lending library which includes
----a brief district history of how we expanded computer science opportunities.
----how our lending library started small, but needed to expand quickly for equity purposes.
----he district's decision to hire a computer science teacher for every building further reinforced our commitment to support these new CS teachers with equitable access and opportunities to lessons and the accompanying computing devices.
Logistics: Funding, Devices, and Organization-25 minutes
-We will discuss some of the logistical challenges and solution strategies that were part of our planning and building process
---Funding: Emphasizing the need for a district or school to have the support of district leadership before embarking on this journey. We will discuss how devices were purchased, including early funding from an internal budget, researching grant opportunities, and strengthening collaboration partnerships.
---Devices: Images of the devices purchased by our district. As the images appear on the screen, we will discuss our rationale for device choices which includes how some of the devices complimented the lessons already being taught within the district.
-----Images Recent additions of unplugged computer science lessons to the library to continue building on providing equitable computer science opportunities for all teachers interested in implementing computer science but unsure of using computing devices.
-----A QR code will be available for participants who wish to learn a bit more about the devices or unplugged activities featured in the presentation.
---Organization: Other areas of consideration includes our process for packaging devices for borrowing, the behind the scenes workflow when teachers borrow devices, time allotment for borrowing, and utilizing outside help in the form of student interns for damage check when they are returned.
Student and Teacher Feedback and Testimonials-5 minutes
-Participants will view a brief video of students and teachers using the devices in classroom. A QR code with additional testimonials will be provided.
Challenges and Strategies Reflection-15 minutes
-Participants will be given time to reflect and then share their thoughts using the following questions as their guide:
----- What is one thing that could be immediately started in your school or district to increase computer science equity?
------What is one challenge that you foresee when starting a lending library for your school/district?
-Participants will be given a QR code for a Padlet and responses will be shared on the screen.
Any additional time available will be for questions and answers.
https://stemforall2020.videohall.com/presentations/1848
https://sites.google.com/umass.edu/csforallspringfieldma/our-work/publications