Computer Projects For Middle Schools

Provides activities for middle school students to become familiar with spreadsheets, databases, computer-assisted drawing, and LOGO programming.

Computer science education in K-12 schools is a popular topic of study, especially in quantitative research. Many findings concur that computer science education should be introduced at lower grade levels to provide students with early exposure to computing skills or computational thinking more broadly. While there is substantial research about computer science education implementation at the elementary and high school levels. However, there is a paucity of qualitative research about computer science curriculum implementation at the middle school level. The current case study concentrated on the computer science implementation stories of six teachers and six administrators at six middle schools in a large urban public school district with a large number of socioeconomically disadvantaged and traditionally underrepresented minority students. Through the theoretical framework of diffusion of innovation in organizations, the study investigated the essential elements of a computer science curriculum implementation, as well as the essential elements of sustaining a computer science education implementation. The study also focused on the challenges of computer science education implementation and how the challenges, if any, varied by student population. Lastly, the study sought data on solutions to implementation challenges and how solutions, if any, varied by student population. Study findings show that when middle school teachers do not receive computer science curriculum training, their implementation of the curriculum does not reach the higher stages of diffusion, such as redefining, clarifying, and routinizing. Results also indicate that the middle school computer science teacher's dedication to and enthusiasm for teaching the subject is essential to sustaining the implementation. Furthermore, when the administrator and teacher in charge of computer science education are both committed to the implementation, then they are more likely to exhibit a problem-solving mindset. Challenges to implementing a middle school computer science curriculum include securing funding for training to teach the curriculum, in addition to finding enthusiastic teachers to teach the topic. A further challenge was the lack of teacher support from administrators who were not completely sold on any particular computer science curriculum or plan of implementation. Challenges pertaining to students include teachers not having any assistance with special education students who are not necessarily ready for a computer science classroom environment. Teachers also expressed challenges in terms of student behavior and students' reluctance to work in teams, especially when there is not enough equipment for every student. Solutions to the funding challenge that worked for participants of the study included continuous fundraising and grantwriting. Administrators who were more dedicated to implementing computer science education at their middle schools had all read research about the importance of early exposure to computer science opportunities as well as project-based learning curricula. Solutions related to special education students and others who were not ready for the advanced curriculum included having multiple levels of the work available for students to feel challenged at their level. Teacher enthusiasm and ability to teach CS can be found among existing middle school teachers. Administrators who are informed about middle school CS education are in a better position to make teacher-centered and student-centered decisions about CS implementation. When administrators' visions of CS implementation align with the middle school teacher's vision of CS implementation, the social network that is generated by the administrator and CS teacher working collaboratively makes a CS program more sustainable. The alignment of middle school CS education research with existing research about diffusion of innovations makes these insights more accessible. Consequently, the implementation of middle school CS education can be better understood by using the five stages of diffusion of innovations as a theoretical framework.

Twenty teacher-tested lessons are presented with step-by-step instructions for presentation in 45-minute computer lab sessions. The lessons cover word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. Although the lessons cover specific subject matter, teachers can modify them easily to fit their own curriculum needs.

This is a collection of 61 different computer activities for a middle-school computer program for use in the classroom. There are exciting and challenging activities that require the students to work together. The activities are designed to work on any computer: PC, Macintosh or Apple II. Activities cover the essential computer areas of word processing, database, spreadsheet, drawing and painting, desktop publishing, and programming. Also covered are CD-ROM, educational software, telecommunications, and multimedia presentation software.

These practical and useful lesson plans promote teaching information and computer skills as an integral part of the middle school curriculum. Emphasizing the vital role shared by media specialists, teachers, and administrators in connecting students to the Information Superhighway, this new edition contains current goals, terminology, learning strategies, and resources that encompass the Information Age.

During the technology boom of the 1980s and 1990s, computers seemed set to revolutionize education. Do any of these promises sound familiar? * Technology would help all students learn better, thanks to multimedia programs capable of adapting to individual needs, learning styles, and skill levels. * Technology would transform the teacher's role from a purveyor of a one-size-fits-all curriculum to a facilitator of student exploration. * Technology would replace static textbooks with dynamic, interactive learning resources that were always up-to-date. * Technology would boost test scores, as engaged and motivated students acquired advanced skills, problem-solving abilities, and a growing thirst for knowledge. By 2001, educational materials developer William D. Pflaum had begun to suspect that technology was not the all-purpose solution it had seemed. He decided to see how computers were really being used in U.S. classrooms and embarked on a yearlong road trip to a cross-section of elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the nation. In this book, he recounts his journey. Although he did find technology application to admire, too often he found broken promises: millions spent for little measurable gain, problems instead of solutions, a fix instead of a fix. This inside look at computer use in our schools shares the voices, experiences, triumphs, and frustrations of educators and students in urban, rural, and suburban settings. The author provides insight into the key roles that computers currently play in the classroom and clarifies what we must do ensure that the promise of technology is fulfilled . . . and that students truly benefit. Note: This product listing is for the reflowable (ePub) version of the book.