The guidance features new survey data and insights from
teachers and experts in computer science (CS) and AI, informing the
future of CS education.
SEATTLE, July 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/
-- Today, TeachAI, led by Code.org, ETS, the
International Society of Technology in Education (ISTE), Khan
Academy, and the World Economic Forum, launches a new initiative in
partnership with the Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA)
to support and empower educators as they grapple with the growing
opportunities and risks of AI in computer science (CS)
education.
Guidance on the Future of Computer Science in the Age of
AI launches with three briefs developed by TeachAI and
CSTA in partnership with AAAI, AI4K12, Code.org, Digital Promise,
Everyday AI, the German Informatics Society, Grok Academy, and
leading researchers including Karen
Brennan, Shuchi Grover,
Maya Israel, and Matti Tedre. The
briefs draw on early research and insights from CSTA members,
organizations in the TeachAI advisory committee, and expert focus
groups to address common misconceptions about AI and offer a
balanced perspective on critical issues in CS education,
including:
- Why is it Still Important for Students to Learn to
Program?
- How Are Computer Science Educators Teaching With and About
AI?
- How Can Students Become Critical Consumers and Responsible
Creators of AI?
"CS teachers are leaning into teaching with and about AI, yet it
will take more than CS teachers to advance AI literacy. This
guidance serves as an example for the entire education community to
consider as we wrestle with the role of AI in all subjects and
every classroom," said Pat Yongpradit, Chief Academic Officer
of Code.org and Lead of TeachAI.
As AI becomes increasingly present in the classroom, educators
are understandably concerned about how it might disrupt the
teaching of core CS skills like programming. With these briefs,
TeachAI and CSTA hope to reinforce the idea that learning to
program is the cornerstone of computational thinking and an
important gateway to the problem-solving, critical thinking, and
creative thinking skills necessary to thrive in today's digitally
driven world. The rise of AI only makes CS education more
important, with early research showing that people with a greater
grasp of underlying computing concepts are able to use AI tools
more effectively than those without.
"Even in an age of AI, teachers are indispensable for delivering
high-quality and equitable computer science education," said
Bryan Twarek, Head of Research and
Innovation at CSTA. "We aim to empower teachers by prompting their
thinking with some early insights from other educators and
researchers."
To inform this initiative and better understand educator
perspectives and expectations related to the role of AI in CS
curriculum and education, TeachAI and CSTA conducted a survey of
primary and secondary computer science teachers in the spring of
2024.
Key Survey Findings
- CS teachers are mostly optimistic or neutral on the potential
benefits and risks of AI in CS education: 52% said the benefits
outweigh the risks, 43% see an equal mix, and only 5% said the
risks outweigh the benefits.
- CS curriculum is due for a change: 80% of teachers agree that
core concepts in CS education should be updated to emphasize topics
that better support learning about AI.
- CS teachers need support to teach with and about AI: 88%
indicated a need for additional resources and professional learning
to teach with and about AI.
"We need to help students learn to ask questions well," said
Christina Gardner-McCune, associate
professor at the University of Florida
and co-chair of AI4K12. "We need to teach them to have ownership of
these tools."
In celebration of the launch, TeachAI will host launch webinars
on Wednesday, August 14. To register,
visit www.teachai.org/webinars or visit teachai.org/cs to learn
more about the guidance.
About TeachAI
TeachAI brings together education
leaders and technology experts to assist governments and education
authorities in teaching with and about AI. The initiative is led by
Code.org, ETS, the International Society for Technology in
Education, Khan Academy, and the World Economic Forum and advised
by a diverse group of 150+ organizations, governments, and
individuals. TeachAI's goals include guiding policy, building
community and capacity, and increasing awareness. To learn more
about TeachAI, please visit www.teachai.org/about.
About CSTA
The Computer Science Teachers Association's
(CSTA) mission is to empower, engage, and advocate for K-12
computer science teachers worldwide. With more than 25,000 members,
CSTA supports and promotes the teaching of computer science and
other computing disciplines. Visit https://csteachers.org/ to learn
more.
Logo -
https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2461780/TeachAI_Logo.jpg
View original
content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-guidance-from-teachai-and-csta-emphasizes-computer-science-education-more-important-than-ever-in-an-age-of-ai-302197965.html