Project-Based Curriculum
UTeach Computer Science courses engage students in authentic learning through project-based instruction, an evidence-based approach that encourages problem solving, critical thinking, and group collaboration. Our personally meaningful curriculum keeps students excited and our comprehensive instructional materials provide both new and experienced teachers with everything they need to create a successful learning environment.
Our courses are designed to feature projects that students find personally meaningful and socially relevant, with the explicit intention of motivating all students to pursue computer science.
Our curriculum is provided through Codio, a cloud-based platform with evidence-based tools specifically designed for computer science education. Interactive tools optimize students' engagement, satisfaction, and performance while also providing teachers with insights into student learning that allow for more personalized feedback and intervention.
By Teachers, For Teachers
The UTeach CS curriculum is the product of ongoing collaboration between highly experienced and successful secondary computer science teachers and researchers, professors, and thought leaders at The University of Texas at Austin.
Each year, hundreds of teachers teach our courses around the world. Our teachers continually help shape and improve the curriculum and support each other by sharing resources and crowdsourcing solutions.
Comprehensive, Classroom-Ready Teacher Materials
Teachers should expect success the first time teaching a course. That’s why we provide teachers with comprehensive, classroom-ready instructional materials:
- Seamless teaching experience with comprehensive lesson plans, interactive student textbook, teacher guidance, student assessments, integrated programming environment, and gradebook all in one place
- Teacher-tested lesson plans include instructions for facilitating each lesson, pacing guides, recommendations for synchronous and asynchronous learning, instructional strategies, example projects, single point rubrics, discussion questions, vocabulary terms, and embedded teacher guidance
- Formative and summative assessments include multiple choice questions, reflection questions, Parsons Problems, fill in the blank questions, coding assignments, open-ended projects, AP-style review questions, and AP-style unit exams
- Auto-grading helps teachers grade 75% faster
- Easy LMS integration: LTI integration streamlines account creation, single sign-on, and grade passthrough to other learning management systems including Canvas, Schoology, Blackboard, Moodle, and more
- Resources for meeting College Board course requirements include a College Board–approved syllabus and lessons directly aligned with AP topics and skills, which allows teachers to easily connect classroom learning to additional resources from AP Classroom
Teachers can access our course materials through a dynamic, cloud-based learning platform, which is maintained and updated by Codio and the UTeach Computer Science team.
Student Materials Accessible from Any Device
UTeach Computer Science provides teachers and students with a convenient online student textbook, which includes course readings, assignments, and project rubrics. Programming assignments are completed through a cloud-based, Chromebook-compatible integrated development environment (IDE), and no additional materials are required.
- Seamless learning experience with interactive student textbook, embedded assessments, and built-in programming environment all in one place
- Auto-graded formative assessments provide students with instant feedback and detailed explanations
- Student view and code playback give teachers direct insight into student progress
- Dashboard provides students with an easy-to-understand snapshot of upcoming assignments, grades, and teacher feedback
Computer Science Pathways
Computer Science Principles is an engaging, foundational course designed to engage all students in computer science. The AP CS Principles curriculum was developed with the explicit intention of broadening participation in the field of computing. The course goes beyond programming to address big ideas like creativity, abstraction, data and information, algorithms, the internet, and the global impact of computing.
Computer Science A is a rigorous, college-level course designed to prepare students for advanced coursework and potential career pathways in computer science. The course deep-dives into programming concepts, such as abstraction, data structures, iteration, algorithms, and object-oriented programming.
Computer Science Principles is often offered to 9th – 12th grade students after they have completed Algebra I, both for students new to computing and students with previous experience in programming and computational thinking. Computer Science A is often offered as a more advanced course to 10th - 12th grade students after they have completed Computer Science Principles. Whether or not these courses are offered for AP credit, students in UTeach CS courses will discover how to apply programming and computational thinking skills to personally relevant projects.
