1. Training Arkansas Computing Teachers (TACT)
Dale R. Thompson, Ph.D., P.E.
This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No
Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.
CSCE Dept.,

2. CSCE Dept., http://tact.uark.edu
Introduction
Training Arkansas Computing Teachers (TACT) project is designed to rapidly address the immediate demand for well-trained CS high school teachers
Funded by NSF
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3. Research/Management Team
Dale R. Thompson, UA CSCE Dept.
Bryan Hill, UA College of Engineering
Carl Frank, Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts (ASMSA)
William (Lin) Oliver, UA Physics Dept.
Eric Specking, UA College of Engineering
David Shannon, Auburn
Wen-Juo Lo, UA Educational Statistics and Research Methods Program
Bradley Beth, UT Austin
Kimberly Hughes, UTeach Institute
Alicia Beth, UTeach Institute
CSCE Dept.,

4. CSCE Dept., http://tact.uark.edu
Goals
Create computer science (CS) talent
Provide access to CS instruction for high schools
Prepare 50 Arkansas teachers to teach AP CS Principles by the end of the 3-year grant
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5. In-Service Strategies
APSI AP Computer Science Principles Course
July (Tues. – Fri.), 2018, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Uses UTeach CS Principles, which is based on Thriving in Our Digital World program that uses CS10K principles
TACT CS Boot Camp
July (Mon. – Fri.), 2018, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
More in-depth programming and topics
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6. AP Computer Science Principles Curriculum Framework
Computational Thinking Practices
Connecting computing, creating computational artifacts, abstracting, analyzing problems and artifacts, communicating, and collaborating
Big Ideas
Creativity, abstraction, data and information, algorithms, programming, the Internet, and global impact
Summary
AP Computer Science Principles equivalent of a first-semester introductory college course
Prerequisite of Algebra
CSCE Dept.,

7. CSCE Dept., http://tact.uark.edu
UTeach CS Principles
Based on Thriving in Our Digital World curriculum developed at UT Austin
Project-based instruction
College Board has endorsed curriculum and professional development delivered by a limited number of organizations including UTeach CS Principles.
Turn-key solution that introduces programming with programming language Scratch and then switches to the language Processing.
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8. CSCE Dept., http://tact.uark.edu
TACT CS Boot Camp
Designed to be a more in-depth course covering topics necessary to pass a licensure exam
Java programming, algorithms, the Internet, security, software engineering, and binary
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9. CS Materials for Teachers
TACT CS Boot Camp CS Materials from 2017 are available for free to teachers. Apply at link below.
UTeach CS Principles
Available if you taking APSI AP Computer Science Principles course in summer
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10. CSCE Dept., http://tact.uark.edu
TACT 2017
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11. 2018 Professional Development Available
APSI AP Computer Science Principles Course, July (Tues. – Fri.), 2018, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
TACT CS Boot Camp, July (Mon. – Fri.), 2018, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR
Who is eligible?
Arkansas high school teachers who plan to teach CS courses
First 15 who register for both courses, all expenses paid plus $150/day stipend
How do I apply?
Online registration opens November 1, 2017
CSCE Dept.,

12. CSCE Dept., http://tact.uark.edu
Contact Information
Dale R. Thompson, Ph.D., P.E. Associate Professor Computer Science and Computer Engineering Dept. JBHT – CSCE University of Arkansas Fayetteville, Arkansas Phone: +1 (479) FAX: +1 (479) WWW: WWW:
CSCE Dept.,