IndianaComputes!, a coalition of Hoosier colleges which provides training, recently was awarded a state contract of more than $600,000 to provide computer science training to K-12 teachers.
The contract will fund online workshops, coursework, and resource development, according to a statement from Indiana University Northwest. All services are free to Indiana educators and upon completion, participating teachers from public and charter schools are awarded a stipend.
Indiana University Northwest along with Indiana University, IU South Bend, IUPUI, Ball State University, Goshen College, Indiana State University, Indiana Wesleyan, Purdue Fort Wayne, the University of Evansville, the University of Indianapolis, the University of Notre Dame, and the University of Southern Indiana, comprise the coalition.
Bhaskara Kopparty, chair of the department of computer information systems and IndianaComputes! program coordinator at IU Northwest, said the vision is for all K-12 stakeholders in Indiana to develop foundational computer science skills, including content knowledge and best-practice teaching skills for K-12 computing standards.
“We are ready to deliver all the necessary coursework and support for the best possible professional development for future computer science teachers in our school systems,” Kopparty said. “IndianaComputes! offers an unprecedented opportunity to help build computer science education capacity and we are excited to take part in this important endeavor.”
Computer science background knowledge beyond the K-8 standards will be available for high school computer science teachers, STEM, and curriculum specialists as well as interested K-8 teachers.
