The JETT Program: Building a Learning Partnership Between High School & University Computer Science Educators

1. The JETT Program:Building a Learning Partnership Between High School & University Computer Science Educators Chris Stephenson Suzanne Menzel Kelly Van Busum Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

2. Introductions Chris Stephenson Oregon State University, New School of Education Suzanne Menzel Indiana University, Computer Science Department Kelly Van Busum DePauw University, Computer Science Department Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

3. High School CS is Changing • Different programming languages • Multiple classes • Combined classes • Preconceived notions of computer science Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

4. Relationship Building is Important • Mutually beneficial • High schools • Universities • Gets students interested in science • Improves retention rates • Community outreach is good for everyone Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

5. Identifying Teacher Skills Needs • The AP switch from C++ to Java created concerns about teacher preparedness • A CSTA/ACM national survey of high school computer science teachers in 2003 highlighted a significant number of skill and confidence gaps that were used to provide recommendations to JETT host sites Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

6. Survey Results The survey revealed that CS teachers have the least amount of knowledge about the following elements of the AP course: • O-O design • Advanced O-O concepts • Exceptions • Data structures • Class variables and methods • Intro to object-oriented programming in Java • Input using a console class Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

7. What is JETT? Java Engagement For Teacher Training A multi-level mentorship program to provide relevant professional development to high school teachers and address the growing equity issues in computing education Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

8. The JETT Model • Involves university faculty, graduate and undergraduate students, College Board computer science consultants, local high school teachers and CSTA/ACM • Universities host a workshop and provide ongoing learning/mentoring experiences for local high school teachers • Host sites apply to be part of the JETT program and applications are reviewed by the JETT Steering Committee • Acceptance is based upon the extent to which the school meets the JETT criteria Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

9. The JETT Criteria All host sites must: • Assemble a planning group (a university faculty member, at least one graduate student, and a College Board AP CS endorsed consultant) • Provide a program for face-to-face learning for teachers • Incorporate a component that addresses the engagement of students not traditionally attracted to computer science • Provide ongoing community support for high school CS educators • Make the teaching materials developed for this workshop available to the central JETT web repository (hosted by ACM) for distribution to educators Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

10. Central Support CSTA/ACM Provide a JETT Coordinator who: • Helps guide host sites through the application process • Helps the site reach out to local teachers and provides on-going promotional support • Helps to identify possible sources of funding • Works with the College Board to find an AP consultant • Oversees the centralized registration for all sites • Manages the JETT website • Manages the workshop evaluation process • Provides event swag for teacher participants Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

11. Benefits of Being a JETT Host • Provides professional development for high school teachers • Exposes teachers to a broad view of computer science • Helps recruit top students from participating high schools • Showcases campus, faculty, and computing facilities • Rewarding for faculty and students Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

12. Finding Funding Sources Finding funding for the workshop can be a challenge. Here are some possible sources: • From your department and others (Cs, Informatics, Business • From other Deans such as the Office of Women’s Affairs • From local or national corporations or businesses (especially those doing business with your institution) Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

13. Finding Teachers It really helps to do local recruiting of teachers: • ACM-provided state wide mailing lists • Listserv announcements • DOE website • Events calendars (faculty, university, etc.) • Local ACM chapter • Brochure • Add extra events such as a film screening • Offer freebies (books, ACM memberships, iPod raffle) Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

14. Why Deal with Gender Issues? • Raises general awareness • Builds a community of people who care • Provides support for women teachers Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

15. How Do We Do It? • Devote a special session to the topic • Panel discussion: involve faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students • Make women a strong presence by using mostly female lab assistants • Address the problem when discussing teaching strategies Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

16. How Do Teachers Respond? • Teachers respond positively • Raises their awareness • Prompts them to act as agents of change in their schools Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

17. Using the Model Beyond Java • Working with students directly • Teaching teachers • Introducing computer science, not just programming • Promoting science education Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

18. What Have We Learned? • Focus on a few fundamental topics • Include fun topics like Java3D • Show computing in context (e.g. weather modeling) • Parallel tracks are good: Decaf and Expresso Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

19. The JETT Model Evolves We have continually refined JETT to make it a better experience for host sites and teachers: • Streamlining the application process • Providing exemplars from successful sites • Helping sites improve their knowledge of AP requirements • Improving the evaluation process • Providing more information on funding sources • Sharing instructional resources among sites Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum

20. Contact Information Chris Stephenson (Computer Science Teachers Association) cstephenson@acm.org Suzanne Menzel (Indiana University) menzel@indiana.edu Kelly Van Busum (Depauw University) kvanbusum@depauw.edu Grace Hopper Celebration Stephenson, Menzel, Van Busum