Dear Friend of NCWIT Counselors for Computing (C4C),

In response to a critical need for a larger and more diverse technical workforce, efforts are underway on the national, state, and local levels to increase the number and variety of computer science (CS) learning opportunities available to students. Students with an interest in computer science and the opportunities to develop computer science skills will be prepared to take advantage of the critical and growing needs of the 21st century workforce.

The NCWIT Counselors for Computing “See Yourself in Computing” (VR) Campaign is one of many efforts to foster students’ interest in CS. Thank YOU for doing your part to direct students’ attention to the creative, world-changing fields of computing! Consider these tips and as you share VR with your students, and encourage them to give computing a try.

TIPS TO GET STARTED

*Note: Although we suggest using the VR headsets, these experiences can also be viewed on a laptop or desktop computer.

1. Consider using Expeditions. The Google Expeditions app is another tool students can use to explore virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR). Read more about Google Expeditions and learn how you can guide students on a group tour at: https://support.google.com/edu/expeditions/answer/6335098?hl=en.

Try These Expeditions: *Note: Users will need to download each Expedition. • Ara the Star Engineer This expedition is based on the book "Ara The Star Engineer." an inspiring, inclusive, and whimsical way to learn about computing from real-life trailblazers. Use the QR Code to the right to view on a VR headset or view online at: https://poly.google.com/view/04kXCpwyoi0.

• Explore Career Expedition: YouTube Software Engineer, Angelica Inguanzo Angelica created her own career pathway by combining her interest in CS and film. Use the QR Code to the right to view on a VR headset or view online at: https://poly.google.com/view/feKDvUlhCKc.

• Passionate Code: App Developer Apps fuel our modern world and the people who create the apps help us to live our lives. Join Locassa’s inspirational creative-design team as they develop the Android version of their most successful app, iDrated. Use the QR Code to the right to view on a VR headset.

• Texas A&M Engineering Innovation Center The EIC is an environment where concepts become solutions to real-world problems; and, student teams come together to build new prototypes, acquire new skills, and develop new relationships. Use the QR Code to the right to view on a VR headset or view online at: https://poly.google.com/view/b4y-FhoMCCn.

ncwit.org/c4c | [email protected] | #NCWITC4C | Twitter: @NCWIT

2. Familiarize yourself with the VR “Expressions of Computing” experience. (Closed captioning is available.)

Important Links: • See Yourself in Computing Homepage: ncwit.org/c4c/SeeYourselfVR • CoSpaces Edu: https://cospac.es/h2g5 (or use the QR code to the right)

Experience with VR Headset Experience with Phone Experience with and or

Split screen view using VR headset Full screen view using phone, tablet, and smartphone or computer (no headset)

• Download the CoSpaces Edu free app. • Download the CoSpaces • Click the link on the Edu free app. homepage or copy/paste • Using your phone’s camera or a it into your browser. scanner app, scan the QR code on the • Using your phone’s See Yourself in Computing homepage. camera or a scanner • The VR experience may app, scan the QR code take 30 seconds or more • Open CoSpaces Edu link. on the See Yourself in to load depending on • Click Play. The VR experience may take Computing homepage. internet speed. 30 seconds or more to load depending • Open CoSpaces Edu • Click Play. on internet speed. link. • Use your mouse pad to • Click the headset icon on the lower, • Click Play. The VR click on indicated buttons. right hand corner of the experience. experience may take 30 The mouse pad can also This will allow you to view the VR seconds or more to load be used to move left, content in split screen through your depending on internet right, up and down to headset. speed. interact with the material. Alternatively, you can use • Remove any case you may have on • While viewing, tilt and your phone, then insert your the arrow on your turn your phone and look keyboard to move. smartphone in the viewer as shown on around. Use your fingers the inside cover. to tab on indicated • While viewing, tilt and turn your head buttons or swipe in any and look around. Tap the silvered button direction to interact with on top to interact with the material. the material.

ncwit.org/c4c | [email protected] | #NCWITC4C | Twitter: @NCWIT

3. Discuss with a counselor, CS teacher, or colleague scenarios in which you can imagine sharing the VR experience with students, as well as opportunities to explore CS.

4. Invite students to try VR.

You Might Say:

• “People who study computer science go on to create all kinds of world-changing technologies, like a drone delivery service. Someone used computer science to create location mapping software to navigate the drone from pick up to drop off.” Or, “How about pulling a book off the shelf and reading it through a VR headset!”

• “See, right on the headset it says, ‘See yourself in computing. Talk to your counselor or teacher about how to get started.’ Did you know we offer CS? (Elaborate!)”

Or:

• Share a Careers with Code quiz where students see how their interests overlap with CS. See pages 18 and 19 in this magazine edition: bit.ly/CSplusXQUIZ.

• Do more! Virtual “expeditions” can help students imagine what it’s like to attend college. For more information about Google Expeditions, see #1 above. http://corwin-connect.com/2018/06/inspiring-students-to-attend-college-with-google-expeditions

Best Regards, The NCWIT C4C Team

ncwit.org/c4c | [email protected] | #NCWITC4C | Twitter: @NCWIT