Increasing Indigenous Representation and Presence in Computer Science

This course is offered asynchronously and is delivered via Canvas.

This asynchronous course supports the Virginia Tribal Education Consortium in building teachers’ capacity in teaching lessons relating to Indigenous history and culture and building Indigenous students’ identity as computer science learners, as well as CodeVA’s goal of increasing teachers’ efficacy in integrating computer science in grades K-8. This course will support teachers in approaching lessons in a culturally responsive way that acknowledges the systemic erasure of Indigenous people in America and supports a CS for All approach.

This course was developed by CodeVA as support of the Virginia Tribal Education Consortium's Grant from the US Department of Education’s Office of Career Technical and Adult Education.

• Deepen understanding of how the CS for All movement can be strengthened through culturally responsive teaching strategies and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) initiatives
• Investigate and explain why integration is a means for teaching computer science, and begin to connect core content concepts with computer science standards and concepts
• Explore and reflect on Indigenous perspectives regarding educational pedagogy and historical representation of Native groups
• Understand how the intersectionality of identity impacts students in a multitude of ways and that each student has unique experiences, culture, and perspectives
• Identify examples of Indigenous perspectives in lesson plans and reflect on personal practice

Beginner - Participating educators need no knowledge or experience with the CS SOLs or CS content.

Educators from grades K-8 and all content areas, as well as any staff supporting student learning.

CodeVA professional learning is free for Virginia and DC public school educators, preservice students and educators, and Dept. of Defense Education Activity teachers.

Tuition applies to all out of state and private school educators. You can find out tuition costs HERE. 

Please note that you must have an approved VA Public School or DC Public School email domain to register. If you are not seeing a register button, it is due to one of the following reasons:

1. Your email is not all lowercase

2. Your email domain is not approved

3. Your profile is incomplete (a completed customer profile is required for registration).

If you are having trouble registering, please use this document to make sure you have completed all the necessary steps.

Pre-service teachers and educators should email educators@codevirginia.com for a waiver to register.

Those wishing to pay the tuition costs should email educators@codevirginia.org to be invoiced. CodeVA only accepts credit card payments at this time.