Computer Science Teacher Resources and Praxis/GACE Prep

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Welcome!

This site, developed with content refined over the past two decades, caters to a diverse audience, including high school students, teachers specializing in AP Computer Science Principles, and individuals preparing for computer science teacher certification exams. The questions, projects, tests, and content have undergone rigorous testing by thousands of high school students and have been successfully implemented in actual classrooms, evolving over the years to ensure effectiveness.

Whether you are a student, a prospective computer science teacher, or an educator aiming to enhance your skills in teaching AP Computer Science Principles, this course provides valuable resources. The content is versatile, serving as a supplement to existing courses or as a comprehensive guide for those aspiring to become proficient computer science teachers.

This self-paced course accommodates various schedules, but for those new to the field, we recommend dedicating a minimum of 5 hours per week over 8 weeks to explore the content. While these 40 hours are an average suggestion, you have the flexibility to navigate the material according to your own timetable. Unsure? Test it out for 24 hours or try some practice questions, and if you find it beneficial, consider signing up for a lifetime membership, granting access to over a dozen assessments and all future content. Questions? Feel free to reach out, and we’ll respond promptly. We hope you enjoy your journey into the world of computer science, and happy computing!

The Need for This Course

As computer science education continues to expand, the demand for qualified teachers in the field grows exponentially. While dedicated programs are emerging, they fall short in meeting the demand for certified computer science educators. There are two pathways to becoming a computer science teacher: earning a degree in computer science and acquiring the necessary pedagogical skills or training qualified teachers in the subject matter. Given the scarcity of computer science graduates entering K12 education, the logical approach to reaching a larger pool of potential CS teachers is to train current non-CS teachers.

Addressing the training of new computer science teachers involves two critical components: content and pedagogy. Certification tests typically emphasize content, and while pedagogy is equally vital, this platform prioritizes content as the initial step toward certification. Our focus is on providing teachers with a substantial understanding of general computer science topics, complemented by real-world examples of projects and tests to support pedagogy – all at a fraction of the cost compared to other options.

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Target Audience

Those preparing to take a computer science teacher certification exam
Current computer science teachers seeking additional resources
High school students interested in exploring computer science
Anyone enthusiastic about deepening their knowledge of computer science
You!

Subscriber Content

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About the Certifications

Many states have different tests and pathways to be able to teach computer science ranging from no special certifications or having a certification in business to specific tests focusing on computer science. The general trend is moving towards CS specific tests with two examples being the Computer Science Praxis exam and the Georgia Assessments for the Certification of Educators (GACE) exam; both of these exams consist of 100 questions with a 3-hour time limit. This site will be looking at training teachers to help them pass one or both of these exams and give them some project and assessment idea for their first years teaching the subject.

Similar Offerings

Official 25-question practice test from ETS: $19
CompuScholar | Digital Savvy Course: $15/month or $120/year
WeTeach_CS | Foundations of CS for Teachers: Praxis Prep: $600

This course: $19.99 for life with updates, more questions, and new assessments added often.

About the Author

Kevin Hare teaches computer science and has more than 19-years experience teaching at the high school level and has offered such courses as AP Computer Science A, AP Computer Science Principles, Web Design, Mobile App Development, Video Design, and TV Broadcasting. He spent the bulk of his career at Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC. In his free time, he co-founded the technology company BoxJump. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science, a master’s degree in secondary education, and a master’s degree in computer science from Georgia Tech where he was a research assistant in the Design and Intelligence Lab working with the Errol project. He lives in California with his wife and two children.

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