If you have a question we want to answer it!  But check out the FAQ below to see if we have good enough mind-reading kills to guess your question!

 

Frequently Asked Questions:
 

Who can take this course? 

Anyone!  If you are currently matriculated at any University of California school (as an undergraduate or a graduate) you  can take the course FOR FREE as part of your regular tuition.  Find our more at https://crossenroll.universityofcalifornia.edu/.  If you are not currently matriculated student you can still enroll, register and pay for the course at http://www.uconline.edu/

Is this course only for people planning to be teachers?

No.  This course is for anyone interested in how to teach computing topics to kids.  Want to be better prepared to run an after school computing or robotics club?  This class will be helpful.  Hoping to work for a tech company that supports employees in volunteering in schools?  This class will be helpful.  Just want to learn something about how to teach computing topics and why it is important for everyone to learn computer science?  This class will be helpful.

 

Do I need to know anything about computer science for this course?

No. There are no technical pre-requisites for this course.  No prior programming experience is needed.  Interest in computers, computation and technology is expected.
 

Will I learn to program in this course?

No. But, you will learn technical knowledge about how the internet, technology, computers and computation works to enable many of the programs and apps that impact out world today. 

 

Is this a "real" University of California course?

Yes.  This is a course approved and listed at UC, San Diego at EDS 124A.  At UCSD, this course can help students complete the new Computer Science Education Minor and the Revelle Social Sciences requirement.  On other UC campuses, this class will be listed on your transcript and you will receive units towards graduation.  You may also be able to petition for it to count for specific credit on your campus -- directions can be found here.  Dr. Simon will support you in this effort if it seems like a good fit for your program.

 

Can this course help me earn my teaching credential? 

Yes and no.  In the state of California, there is no single subject credential in Computer Science.  However there are supplementary authorizations to teach computer science in K=12 that you can add to either a multiple subject or a single subject credential. This course can serve as one of the 4 upper division courses required to get the supplementary authorization.  Dr. Simon will provide you the necessary materials for submitting this course to the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

 

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