Adapting to Changes in the CS Classroom during an Unstructured Year
Patrick Kovalsky, Computer Science Education Teacher at Forest Hills Junior Senior High School
Plans for Expanding STEM
During 2020, an unexpected year with many different twists and turns, one middle school computer science teacher in Pennsylvania looked for a way to keep things structured and on track in his classroom. “CodeHS has been a godsend for us this school year,” stated Patrick Kovalsky, regarding the computer science program at Forest Hills Junior Senior High School. As a veteran teacher of 20 years, Patrick formerly wrote his entire curriculum from scratch. CodeHS provided structure during an unstructured year — the coding LMS allowed him to keep all his own curriculum in one spot and customize additional course material to fit the needs of his students.
Principal Edward Alexander shared the school had a goal to enhance STEM initiatives and expand the computer science department across 6th — 12th grades. Forest Hills looked to CodeHS to implement curriculum and create a clear pathway for students. Edward found the ease of implementation and customizable training highly valuable. “I saw a lot of teachers struggling because they didn’t have a platform like this”, Patrick said. Both computer science teachers and classroom substitutes were successful using CodeHS with students in a virtual and in-person environment.
Building the Computer Science Program
Before the 2020–2021 school year, Forest Hills did not have much of a computer science program. Tasked with finding the best platform for computer science teachers, Patrick did his research and found CodeHS. His goal was to find an interactive platform that engaged students and could survive the transition from in-person instruction to virtual learning, depending on the week. CodeHS did just that — keeping students engaged and on track. According to Patrick, “CodeHS was a natural fit for online learning, the only constant in a year of uncertainty.”
At Forest Hills, 7th and 8th grade students are introduced to Computer Science with an introductory level course in JavaScript. By introducing students to computer science at an early stage in their academic career, their knowledge and interest grows, which opens doors and possibilities to future careers and academic success. As students move into higher learning, they are introduced to AP Computer Science courses along with college and career readiness.
What’s Next for Forest Hills
Forest Hills has big goals for expanding their computer science program and student opportunities. As Patrick works with the computer science department, he hopes to expand and offer more courses in the future such as, Artificial Intelligence and Cryptocurrency. Eventually, Forest Hills hopes to partner with a local college and offer high school students college credit in a collaborative learning environment.
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