Smart List: 40 Coding & Computer Science, Assessment & Data Resources

Did you know that Cause + Code = The New Impact Formula? With that in mind, it is easy to see how important it is for students to have access to strong coding, computer science, assessment and data resources. Today, we’re taking the time to recognize and share 40 valuable resources for students and educators.

Coding & Computer Science Resources for Schools

• CNCS AmeriCorps Computer Science program: provides teacher PD
• Code.org: start here for coding resources (see feature on CS4RI)
• CodeHS: great high school course
• CodeAcademy: after school program
• CS for All Teachers: collaborative CS PD for teachers
• CS Teachers Association: members association for CS teachers:
• Exploring Computer Science: NSF funded
• Hour of Code: give coding a quick try
• Khan Academy: growing computer science library
• Launch CS: consulting support for districts launching #CSforAll
• Made with Code: projects from Google
• P2PU: open resources and badging
• Project Lead the Way: full K-12 pathway with grade-specific content and teacher PD
• Rasberry Pi: teaches kids all over the world to learn programming
• TopCoder: coding competitions

Coding tools and toys for kids

• Dash & Dot: make coding fun (with robots)
• The Foos: puzzles to teach coding to young kids
• LittleBits: electronic building blocks that teach coding and invention (see feature)
• Modular Robotics: programmable blocks and a visual coding language
• Root: a robot to teach coding (see feature)
• Sam Labs Inventor Kit: inspire a “maker” mindset
• Scratch: program stories and games (See our feature on their coding cards)
• Sparki: a robot that makes coding accessible to all skill levels (see feature)

Formative Assessment

• Curriculum Associates, i-Ready: K-12 adaptive assessment & instruction
• MasteryConnect: where teachers share assessments
• Naiku: next generation classroom assessment solution
• NWEA: adaptive assessment (see feature)
• OpenEd: assessment items and aligned resources (division of ACT)
• Scantron: formative and interim assessments

Writing Feedback

• Cognii: automatic assessment of students’ essay answers
• ETS Criterion: online writing evaluation
• Metametrics: the Lexile framework for writing
• Pearson Knowledge Technologies: automated scoring & solutions
• SAS Writing Reviser: free writing feedback tools
• Turnitin: writing feedback and plagiarism detection
• WriteLab: writing feedback system

Data Shops

• BrightBytes: measure tech-enabled learning outcomes *
• Civitas Learning: business intelligence for higher education
• CODAP: open-source data manipulation tool for educators
• Education Strategy Consulting: cool visualization tools

We’re sure we missed some great resources. Which would you add? Share in the comments section below, and don’t forget to check out our other recent Smart Lists at our Smart List Series Page.

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