Guide on Utilizing CS First for Educational Purposes
Google's CS First platform is a free, engaging computer science curriculum designed specifically for K-8 students, offering an interactive, creative, and motivating introduction to coding and computational thinking.
Key features and benefits of CS First include:
- No-cost access to complete curricula: The platform provides free, ready-to-use lesson plans and activities that require minimal preparation, enabling teachers without prior CS background to confidently teach computer science.
- Themed activities and projects: Lessons are organized into themes like storytelling, game design, animation, music, and art, making CS engaging and relevant to diverse student interests.
- Video-based instruction: Video tutorials guide students step-by-step in using Scratch, a visual block coding language, supporting self-paced learning and easy classroom integration.
- Designed for novices and varied skill levels: CS First caters to beginners with no experience and supports differentiated learning in mixed-ability classrooms.
- Collaborative and social learning: The platform encourages group projects and sharing, fostering communication and teamwork skills alongside coding.
- Supports teacher professional development: CS First offers resources and guidance to empower educators new to computer science, helping to build their confidence and competence.
- Accessible anytime online: Because it is web-based, schools can access CS First from anywhere, facilitating both in-class and remote learning.
In addition, CS First offers several other features:
- Available in multiple languages: The platform is available in English and Spanish, making it accessible to a wider audience.
- Integration with Google Classroom: CS First can be integrated with Google Classroom, making it easier for teachers to manage student progress and access resources.
- Digital materials and solution guides: The platform provides digital materials and solution guides, enabling independent learning for students.
- Sectionalized lessons: Lessons are sectionalized into one-hour activities or multi-day projects, offering flexibility for teachers to plan their lessons.
- Suitable for late elementary to middle school students: CS First is designed for late elementary to middle school students, aiming to introduce them to computer science.
- Flexible learning pace: Offering multiple project options allows students to learn at their own pace, with some going deeper while others progress more slowly.
- Wide range of difficulty levels: CS First offers a wide range of difficulty levels suitable for late elementary to middle school students.
- Versatile learning environments: The platform is accessible from most devices and can be used for in-class, at-home, or distance learning.
- Safe and ad-free: CS First is a free resource provided by Google, with no ads and safe for school use.
By lowering barriers to teaching computer science and offering an interactive, creative, and motivating introduction to coding and computational thinking, Google's CS First platform benefits educators and students alike, preparing the next generation for the digital age.
- The free, engaging computer science curriculum designed by Google, CS First, offers teachers with no prior CS background the opportunity to confidently teach computer science through no-cost access to complete lesson plans and activities.
- CS First caters to beginners with no experience and supports differentiated learning in mixed-ability classrooms by being designed for novices and varied skill levels.
- The platform's video-based instructionguides students step-by-step in using Scratch, a visual block coding language, supporting self-paced learning and easy classroom integration.
- Collaborative and social learning is encouraged on CS First through group projects and sharing, fostering communication and teamwork skills alongside coding.
- CS First offers resources and guidance to empower educators new to computer science, helping to build their confidence and competence in teaching the subject.
- To facilitate both in-class and remote learning, CS First is available online and can be integrated with Google Classroom, making it easier for teachers to manage student progress and access resources.
