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TIFFIN – Starting this fall, K-12 teachers will have the opportunity to earn a free computer science teaching certification through Heidelberg University.
Heidelberg received $290,000 from a Teach CS Grant through the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) for this program.
The grant will provide funding for computer science training for 1,100 Ohio educators, of which 650 are expected to become certified to teach computer science. A total of $6 million will be awarded to 17 educational institutions across the state to cover the cost of this professional development opportunity.
The most important goal is to increase the number of existing teachers qualified to teach computer science. According to ODHE, that will be accomplished through additional licensure, university recommendation programs like the one offered by Heidelberg, and alternative resident educator licensure. A total of 11 universities and six educational service centers in Ohio are receiving Teach CS grants.
When the recognition program begins this fall, Heidelberg will be able to fund up to 29 educators across the region who seek recognition, said Dawn, dean of the College of Education and one of the grant authors. Dr. Henry said. Current Heidelberg undergraduate education students and teachers already working in K-12 schools are eligible to take the recommended course, but only K-12 teachers are eligible for the grant.
Teachers who enroll in continuing education opportunities will learn Computer Science Fundamentals, Computational Problem Solving, How to Think Like a Data Scientist or Spreadsheet Modeling (students choose one), Computer Science Methods and Computer Science Methods, and Total You will complete four computer science courses worth 12 credit hours. field experience. All CS-approved courses are taught by Heidelberg faculty.
The course is offered in an asynchronous format over an 8 week period. Therefore, in theory, an educator can complete coursework for approval within her one year. The cost of course tuition, books, software, and tests will be covered by the grant, and students who need it will also be provided with a laptop computer.
“For students, teachers not only get K-12 certification on top of their basic license, but they also get an additional 12 hours toward their teaching license renewal,” Henry said. “These additional hours also apply to promotion potential in the district’s pay schedule. Over time, your pay can increase significantly.”
Sean Joyce, associate professor of computer science, and his Heidelberg colleagues plan to adapt current computer science courses to an asynchronous (online) format. They are finalizing the development of a final course that includes 50 hours of field experience.
The Teach CS grant is a partnership between Innovate Ohio, the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation, ODHE, and the Ohio Department of Education and Labor.
To apply, visit admission.heidelberg.edu/register/cs-endorsement or call the School of Education at 419-448-2125 for additional information.
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