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CS/AI Content Integration

Computer Science Integration into Existing University Courses

Computer Science (CS) integration incorporates CS concepts, principles, and practices into other disciplines within the curriculum for meaningful learning. At the University of Florida, CS integration serves as an on-ramp for pre-service teachers to gain exposure and confidence with CS. Our team believes that CS is a discipline that can be integrated into a variety of subjects across grade levels. Additionally, research has shown that CS can help students develop problem-solving skills as well as deepen their understanding of subject matter content.
We are actively working with faculty members within the university’s Secondary, Elementary, and Early Childhood Education programs to integrate CS within existing courses. Through this work our team is helping the next generation of teachers to bring CS into their classrooms regardless of subject matter concentration.

Two students are seated at a table, collaborating on a project using a laptop. The student on the left is wearing a striped shirt and is looking at the screen, while the student on the right, wearing a burgundy sweater, is engaged and pointing at something on the laptop. Another student in an orange hoodie is working independently in the background.

Spotlight: Secondary Math and Science Education – UFTeach

The UFTeach and CS Everyone teams have developed a partnership to introduce computational thinking (CT) and CS to secondary Math and Science pre-service teachers. This work began in MAE 2364: Explorations in Teaching Secondary Mathematics and Science, the first course in a sequence that leads to a minor in mathematics, science, or CS education. In MAE 2364, the CS Everyone team and UFTeach faculty members introduced CT and CS concepts through unplugged lessons and computer-based programming activities. Following model lessons in CT and CS, the pre-service teachers planned and implemented CT and CS lessons for an after-school elementary STEM club in order to build on the successful integration of CT and CS in the introductory course.
The pre-service teachers in the CS minor will continue developing their knowledge and skills in ECT 3353: K-12 CS Methods. This course reviewed the principles for teaching K-12 CS through an exploration of the role of content, pedagogy, and curriculum in Computer Science education. UFTeach faculty and the CS Everyone team are looking to integrate CS into other courses within the UFTeach program.
For more information about the UF Teach program, please contact the program coordinators.

Spotlight: Elementary Education Program

All pre-service teachers in the elementary education program at the University of Florida take EME 4401: Integrating Technology in the Elementary Curriculum. Pre-service teachers in this course participate in a multi-week CS/CT module led by course instructors and/or CS Everyone team members. In this module, they learn foundational CS concepts, play with CS educational tools and robotics, create age-appropriate programs that demonstrate their understanding of a Florida state CS standard, and work collaboratively to create CT/CS-integrated mini-lessons. These activities provide pre-service teachers with the knowledge and skills needed to incorporate CT/CS into their curriculum.

Three young children are seated at a table in a classroom, working on laptops. The child on the left, with curly red hair and wearing pink fuzzy headphones, is smiling. The child in the middle, with dark braided hair, and the child on the right, wearing blue headphones and a white shirt that says 'We're all in this together,' are both focused on the laptop screens. Shelves with various educational materials are visible in the background.

Spotlight: Early Childhood Education

Within the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education program at the University of Florida, the CS Everyone team has worked with faculty members to introduce CS and CT into an early childhood STEM education course. In the course, preservice teachers teach young children mathematics and science through processes of problem-solving, reasoning, communication, and inquiry. Preservice teachers in the course had a chance to explore appropriate uses of technology. During the summer semester, faculty teach the preservice teachers about CS and robotics. Following those lessons, preservice teachers implemented CS and robotics lessons in practicum settings within a PreK and early elementary setting.