Computer science movement grows in Franklin County
According to The Conference Board, National Center for Education Statistics and the College Board, there are 4,488 open computing jobs in the state of Alabama – but only 503 computer science graduates. That statistic shocked Jessica Hamilton, instructional technology and teacher support at the Franklin County Career Technical Center, but the school system is now making an effort to broaden students’ interest in computer science.
During the first week of December, at least one teacher from several schools in the county will be participating in the Hour of Code. It is a global movement through code.org that has partnered with the University of Alabama to provide free resources to teachers and students to promote computer science and education.
“It’s the first time the whole Franklin school system has participated. In the past, individual teachers have, but never the system,” Hamilton said.
All the teachers have to do to participate is have their students practice or work with coding for 45 minutes to an hour during that week, Hamilton said. She said the teachers don’t have to be certified because all of the resources and materials are provided on code.org for free.
Another unique coding venture schools are doing is the Dash and Dot Robots through Wonder Works. Using an app, students can control the robots through coding exercises.
“They are available to the T.R.A.C.K.S. afterschool programs in the district. I’ve been going around teaching the site leaders of the programs at the different schools how to use them,” Hamilton said.
She and a few county school teachers attended one of the free workshops offered at the University of Alabama, where they learned more about the program and code.org. Sixth-grade teacher Lisa Franklin at Vina is one of the teachers who attended.
“The kids love working with it,” Franklin said. “I’m grateful that we have the Chromebooks because they help them practice and learn coding, even if they don’t realize they’re learning, through the games.”
Ashley Burton, a math teacher at Tharptown High School, said she and her students will be participating in the Hour of Code. She said she has worked on coding with her students in the past and believes it is important for them to be exposed to the computer science field.
“So many jobs are going toward the computer science field now and in the future. It’s important that they have these skills,” Burton said.
