Computing Systems

This microcredential provides a background of computer systems including hardware, software, and troubleshooting. This is #1 in the K-12 Computer Systems Credential.

MICROCREDENTIAL ID: ETEC-KCS-0011
CREDENTIAL: K-12 Computer Science
CREDITS: 1.0 CEU (10 hours)
AUTHOR: Dr. Emily Baumgartner

Licensure Disclosure: EHHS Credentials and Microcredentials do not lead to an Ohio Department of Education (ODE) recognized licensure and/or endorsement preparation program.

Registration

How to Earn This Microcredential

Participants will need to submit a set of evidence demonstrating their understanding of computing systems and how these topics will be implemented in the curriculum. This includes a sample lesson plan integrating computer systems and implementation with student samples. Additionally, participants will complete a short written reflection.

Fees

Participants submitting this microcredential for review will be assessed an administrative fee of $50. Participants who successfully complete the microcredential will receive a certificate showing completion of 1.0 CEU.

Why Get This Microcredential?

This microcredential is part of the K-12 Computer Science credential. This microcredential will give participants the background to understand what types of computing systems are utilized and how they are a part of computer science. This course is the building block to understanding that computer systems are a huge part of everyday life, from communicating to learning. This credential must be completed sequentially starting with Microcredential #1 in the K-12 Computer Science credential. First, the educator gains background on computer and networking systems and how data gets stored. Next, the educator will gain experience in algorithms, which is an essential component prior to programming. The next microcredential will explore basic programming, which can be translated to many different activities in the classroom. Finally, the impacts of computing are explored in the last microcredential.

Benefits of this Microcredential

Understanding how computer systems work is a vital part of implementing computer science into the curriculum. Computing systems and hardware and software are an essential part of society and critical to integrating computer science. However, educators are often not taught how hardware and software work together. Educators are also not always taught how to troubleshoot common issues on computers.

Standards

Evidence Review

Candidates interested in earning this microcredential must submit three pieces of evidence: one piece related to learning, one related to implementing, and one related to reflecting.

When you are ready for your evidence review, submit your pieces of evidence for feedback from a qualified instructor.

Evidence Review Submission Form

Learning

Required Resources

Consider the following while reading:
- Investigate the following (taken from CSTA standards):
  - How do external and internal parts of computing devices function to form a system?
  - How can computing devices be improved based upon how users interact with the devices?
  - How do hardware and software work together as a system?
Read the following article that describes hardware and software
- https://www.chtips.com/computer-fundamentals/what-is-computer-hardware-and-software/
Read the following article on how computers work as a system:
- https://www.learncomputerscienceonline.com/how-computer-works/
Read the following article on troubleshooting issues with computers:
- https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/computerbasics/basic-troubleshooting-techniques/1/

Additional Resources and Readings

Computer science and technological literacy resource from ITTEA
- https://www.iteea.org/File.aspx?id=123561&v=c710e708&source=generalSearch
ISTE & CSTA (2011). Operational definition for computational thinking. Retrieved from https://cdn.iste.org/www-root/Computational_Thinking_Operational_Definition_ISTE.pdf

Required Evidence

Submit a 1-2 page overview with examples of hardware and software. Also, describe what their function is in the system as a whole. List the benefits and limitations of computer systems.
Formatting – One to two pages maximum; double-spaced, no smaller than 11pt font.
Use references to support your claims. References do not count towards the 1-2 page minimum/maximum. Any format for references is allowed but APA is preferred.
- APA Formatting and Style Guide
- APA Citation Generator

Evidence Review Criteria

Criterion 1: Educator understands computer systems and the difference between hardware and software.
Criterion 2: Educator understands benefits and limitations of computer systems.

Implementing

Required Resources

There are no required resources; however, you are encouraged to visit at least one additional resource.

Additional Resources

Instructional strategies for CS: https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/Computer-Science/Resources-for-Computer-Science/Instructional-Strategies-for-Computer-Science
INFOhio Curriculum ideas:
https://www.infohio.org/blog/item/computer-science-fundamentals-curriculum-from-codeorg-added-to-open-space
Code.org https://code.org/
UTeach Computer Science: https://microcredentials.digitalpromise.org/explore?page_size=24&page=1&organization__name=UTeach%20Computer%20Science
Chalk.com’s What Does a Good Lesson Plan Look Like?

Required Evidence

Submit a sample lesson plan implementing the Devices and Hardware, Software, and Troubleshooting standards into your curriculum.
- Be sure to include the appropriate standards into your lesson:
  - Ohio (or your state’s) CS standards for your grade level : https://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/Learning-in-Ohio/Computer-Science/Ohio-s-Learning-Standards-in-Computer-Science/Computer-Science-Standards_Adopted-2018.pdf.aspx?lang=en-US
  - CSTA standards for your grade level: https://csteachers.org/Page/standards
    - Sort by “Computing Systems”
Implement that lesson plan into the classroom.
Evidence of successful completion must include two components:
- The lesson plan in Word or PDF format. There are no length or format requirements. However, it must have state or content standards included.
- Include in the lesson plan the actual date(s) of implementation, including the age and grade of the audience.

Evidence Review Criteria

Evidence of preparation and planning
- Criterion 1: Evidence demonstrates instructor applies applicable lesson to corresponding standard.
- Criterion 2: Evidence demonstrates appropriate assessment for corresponding standard.
Evidence of Implementation
- Criterion 1: Evidence demonstrates student understanding of corresponding standards.

Reflecting

Resources

If you are new to writing reflections, or this is your first microcredential, then please visit at least one of the additional resources.

Additional Resources

EduBirdie - Speaking Your Mind: How to Write a Reflection Paper
Trent University – How to Write a Reflection Paper

Required Evidence

Submit a document that considers these two questions:
- How do you plan to increase your understanding of computer systems to support learning in the future?
- How do you plan to develop your understanding of computer systems based on the lesson plan you created and implemented?
Formatting- One to two pages maximum, double spaced, no smaller than 11-point font.
No references are required.

Evidence Review Criteria

Criterion 1: The reflective analysis indicates the educator continually learns and increases their knowledge base.
Criterion 2: The reflective analysis identifies appropriate ways to increase knowledge about computer science and computer systems.

Questions?

Email pd@kent.edu.

Computing Systems