Computer Science Teacher - Thoughts and Information from Alfred Thompson

Alfred Thompson's blog about teaching computer science at the K-12 level. Alfred was a high school computer science teacher for 8 years. He has also taught grades K-8 as a computer specialist.

Opinions on Supportive Curriculum Resources

I’m looking for some feedback. I’ve been working on the idea of creating and sharing some computer...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 10/13/2009

NCWIT Award for Aspirations in Computing 2009/10

Know some high school women with aspirations in the computing fields? You may want to nominate them...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 10/09/2009

Games Are Serious Business

One of the things I hear a lot is that teaching game programming is just i gimmick – something to...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 10/08/2009

What Sort Of Thing is Programming? Really?

Every so often a thinking question comes to mind. Once upon a time I would either spend some time...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 10/06/2009

Today is World Teacher’s Day. On behalf on myself, thanks for all you teachers do every day. I hope...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 10/05/2009

Who Designed That User Interface

One of the problems with knowing something about programming, computers and user interface design is...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 10/02/2009

The Role Model Problem

A bunch of my friends are at the Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing this week. I’m...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 10/01/2009

Why Does Diversity Matter

One of the things I make clear in a lot of talks and meetings is that I want to see more women and...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 09/29/2009

I love the idea of one to one computing. While it has gotten a lot of attention with mixed results...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 09/28/2009

Imagine Cup Game Design Competition

This year the US Imagine Cup Game Design Competition is wide open for participation by high school...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 09/25/2009

Visual Basic Resources

I was asked on Twitter if I had a Visual Basic resource page for teachers and I had to admit that...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 09/24/2009

Show Me The Data

One of the things I have heard from students over the years is that the data they are asked to...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 09/23/2009

What Does It Take to Make Change in CS Education?

This started out as a comment on Mark Guzdial’s blog post What changes CS Education? which you of...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 09/18/2009

Engaging Students in Computer Science – Teacher Workshop in New Jersey

I’ll be heading to New Jersey in a couple of weeks. Now if you are not from New jersey you may not...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 09/18/2009

Zune HD as a programming/teaching platform?

The idea of games that use accelerometers strikes me as particularly interesting an several levels....

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 09/16/2009

Hardware Matters

A big focus of my time these days is on introduction to computer science courses. What might be...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 09/15/2009

Documentation – It Really Does Have Value

I installed some software this morning. Every indication is that it is just what I am looking for...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 09/11/2009

Firestarter Event Series – Information about Microsoft Technologies

Are you a school or district IT person looking for more information about the latest Microsoft...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 09/09/2009

President Obama's "I Am What I Learn" Video Contest

Received this announcement today. On Tuesday, September 8th, President Obama will announce his Back...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 09/08/2009

Youth CITIES (Creating Impact Through Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainability)

Know a smart ambitious high school student in the Boston/Cambridge MA area? Here is a once in a...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 09/02/2009

August was something else for me. I had some travel. I had a lot of work. And I did some things...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 09/01/2009

CareerForward: Career Preparation in a Global Economy (cFWD)

Since I was offline for much of last week and didn’t have the time to find new things I thought that...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/31/2009

New XNA Curriculum Resources

Updated with additional links on September 3rd 2009. Introduction to Programming Through Game...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/29/2009

Ready, Fire, Aim is not the way to buy computers

I have to admit that from time to time I like to toss an observation or a question out on Twitter...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/24/2009

As I put this summary together I’m just about ready to head to Redmond WA by way of Seattle in the...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/24/2009

In the land of the blind …

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Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/21/2009

New Windows Live Movie Maker Available

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Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/20/2009

I hope I’m not the only one who sometimes pre-judges a link based on how sent it to them. I know...

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/18/2009

Drive out fear

One of the great opportunities I had in my earlier career as a software developer was to take W....

Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/17/2009

15 Free Computer Science Courses Online

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Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/13/2009

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Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/11/2009

CSTA Podcast Series

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Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/10/2009

Math, English, Binary, Computer Science, What a Mix

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Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/07/2009

Learning Because You Want To

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Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/06/2009

Have To Vs. Get To

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Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/05/2009

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Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 08/03/2009

Teacher Web Sites

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Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 07/29/2009

Who’s Afraid of Smart Machines?

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Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 07/28/2009

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Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 07/27/2009

What It Is Like to be A Student?

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Author: Alfred Thompson Date: 07/24/2009

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