About this Course

The purpose of this course is to support teachers as they work to make their CS courses more inclusive and diverse. It is primarily intended for the secondary CS teacher, but the strategies and research addressed are applicable for addressing equity and inclusion in any STEM course. The course is divided up into six modules and includes topics such as 

·      Inclusive recruitment strategies

·      Working with course gatekeepers such as counselors and other teachers

·      Examining your own unconscious bias and cultural misunderstanding

·      Leveraging CS as a tool for addressing social justice

·      Culturally responsive pedagogy

·      CS for neurodiverse learners

·      Intersectionality and its impact on CS identity

·      Applying research-based strategies such as pair programming, CS role models, connecting CS to students’ lives, and building a growth mindset specific to CS

Since the content addresses sensitive topics on equity, diversity, inclusion, prejudice, and social justice, the course makes use of a combination of online content and activities, interactive discussion boards, and supplemental live meetings (in person or online) with your own Professional Learning Cohort. This creates opportunities to share thoughts, feedback, and constructive criticism in a format that is most comfortable for you. Further, the course uses "in the field" activities, such as classroom observation and practical implementation, to enhance the learning experience and ensure your ability to apply the concepts and techniques throughout the course. Each participant will complete the course by producing a working action plan as culmination of the learning experience.

This course is ideally suited to a cohort of educators working together with a facilitator to improve its practice. Registering for this course will place you in a cohort with a University of Texas at Austin instructor serving as the facilitator. If you are interested in purchasing access for a cohort of teachers (e.g. pre-service teachers, a professional development project, or a school PLC) and providing your own facilitator, we can design a custom solution to fit your needs and schedule. Please contact carol.fletcher@utexas.edu for further details.

What You'll Learn

• How to define equity and the related issues that impact its realization
• How to develop the skills to advocate for computer science
• How to use computer science and computational thinking as a vehicle for exploring issues of personal relevance and social justice
• How to explore and understand our own unconscious biases, beliefs, and stereotypes that can influence our teaching, student recruiting, and interactions with other stakeholders
• How to navigate program and material selection, while using specific strategies to establish equity and self-esteem among different populations