Computing in Israel

Achievements and Challenges

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

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Agenda

Since when?

The Israeli education system; The “New” high school curriculum:   Principles Study Material   Content Implementation Middle (Junior High) School Teachers Gender Challenges The four Elements that made it. Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Since when?

In Israel Computer Science ( not coding or applications ) was a scientific discipline in high school from the middle of the ‘70;   No special material was prepared for students and teachers; The programming language was BASIC.

An update was essential.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

The Israeli Education System

The Israeli education system is a centralized one. The Ministry of Education determines the educational policy on all levels, from Kindergarten to higher education.

Its policy is implemented with the assistance of professional committees and professional supervisors. Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

The school system is divided into three stages:    Six years of elementary school (grades 1 through 6); Three years of middle (Junior High) school (grades 7 through 9); Three years of high school (grades 10 through 12).

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Matriculation Exams

The three years of high school culminate in a set of matriculation exams. The exams are based on:  A core of required subjects;  An extensive list of electives including physics, chemistry, biology, and courses in humanities and social sciences.

Some of the subjects come in various levels, the most common being three-unit and five-unit programs. Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Importance of the matriculation:

The matriculation exams are crucial for admission to most Israeli universities. Some higher education institutions give bonus points for students who successfully complete certain subjects. Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

The “new” High School Curriculum

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

The Committee

   In the beginning of the ’90, the Ministry of Education nominated a curriculum committee.

Members were:    from the academia computer scientists and education researchers ; from the Ministry of Education (the supervisor and others); Computer Science teachers .

Ministry of Education: Support and budget Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

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Principles

Computer science is a full fledged scientific subject; The program should concentrate on key concepts and foundation of the discipline;   Teachers certified to teach computer science must have an adequate formal computer science education and pedagogical knowledge Support laboratory sessions and individual “screen time” for each student.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Principles

 There must be a kernel that everyone should earn, but teachers should be able to choose what they like best and feel comfortable with. Teachers thus become part of the actual design of the final program.

 Provide different ways of algorithmic thinking and different ways of solving programs.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

The Zipper Principle Conceptual and experimental issues should be interwoven throughout the program.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Study Material

 Study material is divided into units of approximately 90 hours;  Course material is essential;  Special material should be developed for teachers and for students.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Two versions of our program: differ in quantity, depth and in content.

The 3-unit version:

intended for those who have only a general interest in computer science, The 5-unit one: for those who want to get much more involved in this scientific discipline.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Content

Fundamentals of CS 1 and 2

programming language.

Second Paradigm

: the foundation for the entire program. Introduce the concept of algorithms and how to apply them in a : introduces a different perspective for addressing algorithmic problems (Functional language, Prolog…) 

also more practical aspects like graphics, information systems.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Data Structures

(originally titled Software Design) : concentrates on data structures and complements the Fundamentals units.

Theory

: exposes students to the theoretical aspects of the discipline and provides students a choice of alternatives including a computational models unit

(introducing concepts such as reduction, non-determinism) Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Implementation

The high school curriculum has been successfully implemented since the mid ’90: Course material in education.

was developed by different teams that had computer scientists on board, high school teachers and researchers The community of researchers in CS education was founded.

The Israeli center for CS teachers was established.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

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The Software Engineering Track

In addition to the regular CS track in some Israeli high schools we have a software engineering track; The basis is the five unit CS curriculum; In addition:  Physics or Biology or Chemistry;  Specialization track like:     Operating systems Graphics Smartphones – Android Cyber Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

A few numbers

 ~ 10000 take the three unit version;  ~7000 take the five unit version;  ~ 4450 take the software engineering track.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

vs. Other sciences

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Ref.

J. Gal-Ezer, C. Beeri, D. Harel & A. Yehudai: “A High-School Program in Computer Science", Computer, 1995, 28, 10, pp. 73-80 .

J. Gal-Ezer & D. Harel: "Curriculum and Course Syllabi for High-School Computer Science Program", Computer Science Education, 1999, 9, 2, pp. 114-147.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Middle (Junior High) School

   In 2012 the Israeli Ministry of Education also launched a program to enhance science and technology education. A six-year program covering grades seven through twelve; A new computer science curriculum was introduced; Scratch, robotics, cyber….

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Implementation

 The middle-school program has been implemented in a stepwise fashion.  Currently, there are more than 250 schools (out of 1000) participate.

 The new Cyber track is very popular.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Ref.

Zur-Bargury, I. 2012. A New Curriculum for Junior-High in Computer Science. ITiCSE’12 Conference, July 3–5, 2012, Haifa, Israel. Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY.

Zur Bargury. I., Haberman, B., Cohen and, A., Muller, O., Zohar, D., Levy, D. and Hotoveli, R. 2012. Implementing a New Computer Science Curriculum for Middle School in Israel. Proceedings of the FIE’12 Conference, Seattle, Washington, 886-891.

Zur Bargury, I., Parv, B. and Lanzberg, D. 2013. A Nationwide Exam as a Tool for Improving a New Curriculum. ITiCSE’13, July 1-3, Canterbury, England, UK.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Teachers

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Educators vs. Researchers:

Researchers

 Extensive knowledge in the field itself;  Research skills and methodologies of the field.

Educators

    Extensive knowledge in the field itself; The ability to convey this knowledge correctly and reliably; Provide perspective; Infuse students with interest, curiosity, and enthusiasm. Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

So what should they know?

 The History of CS: theory as well as the machines themselves;  The name and nature of the discipline;  The relationship of the field to other disciplines;  Curricula and study programs on both the school and university levels; Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

 A variety of issues concerning problems in teaching theoretical and practical concepts;  Equity and gender issues;  Methodological and pedagogical issues, including web-based and technology-based learning.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

J. Gal-Ezer & D. Harel: "What (else) should CS educators know?" Communications of the ACM, 1998, 41, 9, pp. 77-84.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Skills

(Pedagogical, methodological)

:

     self-study of professional scientific literature; scientific research skills; skills required for preparing and delivering a lesson;

Skills required for writing assignments and exams;

presentation skills .

Leiden Lorentz Center September 2014

How???

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Teacher certification programs

In addition to a bachelor degree in computer science, two components: courses and practical training which is accompanied by a workshop.

Courses: 1.

2.

3.

A course based on “Algorithmics” by Harel; A seminar course (based on the ’98 paper); A methods course.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

The Seminar Course

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To acquire:

self-study of professional scientific literature; and scientific research skills; A reader of articles is provided, and students have to subjects mentioned before.



To acquire: presentation skills

Teacher students (in-service and pre-service) are required to present seminar papers; Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Examples of Seminar papers

Topic

The history of CS CS curricula CS teaching issues

Examples

The development of programming languages; of computers, of operating systems The development of CS curricula in the school system, in colleges and universities in different countries; gender and equity issues in CS programs worldwide The first programming language and its influence; problems in teaching the CS1 introductory course; problems in teaching programming; teaching different programming paradigms; difficulties in teaching recursion and ways to assist teaching and learning; challenges in teaching efficiency and how to prevent them; misconceptions in CS; Methodology and pedagogy Visual tools to assist teaching and learning; games and aids in teaching CS topics such as programming, data structures and algorithms, Turing machines and complexity; project based learning; lab-based teaching; internet based learning Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

The Method Course

Rewritten based on the Hazzan, O., Lapidot, T. & Ragonis, N. 2011. Guide to teaching computer science. London: Springer Verlag.

To acquire:

skills required for preparing and delivering a lesson, teacher students are required to prepare classes and deliver them to their pears and instructors.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Gender

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Science exam-takers (advanced level) by gender

Discipline Gender 2009

Math Physics Chemistry Biology CS Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Male Female Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014 33.9% 36.9% 13.1% 6.2% 7.1% 10.6% 14.5% 21.6% 9.8% 3.9%

Achievements in CS Exam

Year

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2010

Male Achievements

5 units 88.2

1-3 units 80.1

88.9

89.1

89.0

89.2

90.1

89.8

81.6

81.9

78.1

80.4

81.1

81.2

Female Achievements

5 units 88.6

1-3 units 82.6

89.2

88.9

88.9

89.5

90.5

90.0

83.6

83.4

80.9

82.8

82.9

82.5

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Success???

How do we measure success?

More students choose computer science; and most important Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

High School as a pipeline to higher education

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Year of graduation

2004 2005 2006

Level of exam % of males who pursued higher computing education % of females who pursued higher computing education

0 1-3 5 0 1-3 5 0 1-3 5 2.6% 4.0% 19.9% 2.2% 3.4% 16.% 1.4% 2.1% 11.6% Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014 0.9% 1.5% 13.0% 1.1% 2.1% 15.9% 0.9% 2.0% 15.2%

Challenges

Maintain the discipline as an elective on the same par as Physics, Biology, Chemistry; Stick to long lasting basic/fundamental concepts; computational/algorithmic thinking; Language free!

Make the curriculum attractive for all, including women; Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

Keep the curriculum updated; Computers in the Israeli social and geographical periphery; Most important: Maintain the CS teachers community and a group of leaders; Maintain a research community of University CS faculty and CS teachers.

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

The Five Elements that made it

Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014

The Five Elements that make it

CS Teachers’ Preparation/ Certification Programs CS Curriculum and Syllabus Mandatory CS Teaching License CS Teachers Community CS Education Researchers Community Leiden Lorentz Center September 2014

Thank you

 Computing in Israel, Leiden, September 2014