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Volume 16, Issue 8 | April 2018
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Welcome to the March/April edition of the Microsoft Imagine
Academy (MSIA) Newsletter!
In this edition of the MSIA newsletter we’re announcing the release of Unit
3 to the “Introduction to Python” course curriculum in the Computer
Science Learning Path, a change to replace Touch Develop with Microsoft MakeCode in order to provide a more
holistic, hands-on computing education platform, and revamped Microsoft
Certified Educator (MCE) exam based on the 21CLD and Innovative Teaching & Learning Research.
We invite you to share your student success stories with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Read on for more news!
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Microsoft MakeCode is
replacing Touch Develop
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 The
Change Microsoft is Making
At Microsoft, we continually evaluate and invest in building the
right tools to help every student learn the computer science skills
they need to succeed in the future. Recently, we determined we
needed to replace Touch Develop with Microsoft MakeCode in order to provide a more
holistic, hands-on computing education platform that will bring
computer science to life through physical computing devices like
the micro:bit and immersive experiences like Minecraft.
What is Microsoft MakeCode?
MakeCode is Microsoft’s programming environment for beginners. We
are working hard to bring more courses to MakeCode, to make it a
great place for educators and students. Currently, MakeCode
supports programming of several hardware devices and Minecraft.
What is the impact of the change?
Microsoft Touch Develop, will no longer be available as
of May 23, 2018.
As a result, customers using the “Creative Coding Through Games and
Apps” (CCGA) course based on Touch Develop will no longer have
access as of May 23, 2018.
What if we are still using CCGA or Touch Develop this term?
Microsoft advises that all teachers have scripts graded by the 23rd
of May, 2018.
What to expect next?
We know that providing high quality curriculum that maps to
real-world skills is vital to you. The good news is that we are
building new curriculum based on Microsoft MakeCode (which will
support a new sprite-based game engine). Some of the benefits of
this new curriculum are:
- It will support
coding with Blocks and TypeScript/JavaScript (providing both
block-based and "text-based" coding options) giving
learners at different levels the flexibility to progress at
their own pace
- It will be expanded
to include the fundamentals of Beginning Computer Science,
including events, coordinates, variables, iteration,
conditionals, functions, arrays, algorithms, and more, through
a variety of hands-on activities.
- It will be aligned
with CSTA standards and can be used for the CS Principles Exam
This
new Introductory Computer Science curriculum will be available to
existing Microsoft Imagine Academy customers for feedback in late
May, with an expected full product launch later this summer. When
the beta launches in May, we will include an initial set of lessons
for each topic area, as well as an introduction, educator lessons,
and even a few advanced topics.
Some handy links:
- If you have
questions about Touch Develop please talk to us on yammer at Develop Touch
- For questions
around CCGA please talk to us on Yammer at CCGA Educators
- Information on
transitioning from Touch Develop to MakeCode (especially
regarding the sprite-based game engine) can be found at http://aka.ms/td2mkcd.
- You can learn more
about Microsoft MakeCode at makecode.com
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Announcing Unit 3
“Introduction to Python” now available!
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 Microsoft
Imagine Academy is happy to announce release of Unit 3 to the
“Introduction to Python” course curriculum in the Computer Science
Learning Path, available for members to download through the Imagine Academy Member Site.
“Introduction to Python” uses Azure hosted Jupyter notebooks,
requiring only a browser and internet connection, and features
practice drills and projects focused on Python language basics and
data structures. With the addition of Unit 3 to this comprehensive
course students will be prepared for Microsoft’s MTA Exam 98-381 Introduction to Programming Using
Python.
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Interested in becoming a
Microsoft Certified Educator? Here are three ways to do it!
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 When
teachers have the skills and confidence to engage their students
and prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow, they don’t just do more
things – they do amazing things. To help teachers shape the leaders
of the future, Microsoft has recently revamped the Microsoft Certified Educator (MCE) exam. This
certification is based on the 21CLD and Innovative Teaching & Learning
Research, which provides a set of rubrics for educators to
identify and implement learning opportunities for students to build
21st century skills. Educators who complete the certification are able
to incorporate the 21st Century Learning Design (21st CLD) skills
into learning activities, using Microsoft tools for education. 21CLD Learning Path exam training materials are
available as a collection of 8 courses with 4-6 lessons in each
course. This learning path provides teachers with clear and
practical ways to develop 21st skills using digital technologies
with their students.
Read more here.
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What we’re Reading: Institute of Coding launched
in UK to tackle digital skills gap
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 A
new £40 million Institute of Coding that will teach people
digital skills such as cybersecurity and artificial intelligence is
to be set up in the UK. The venture will be launched by a consortium
including Microsoft, in a bid to tackle the country’s
digital skills gap. The institute aims to deliver practical digital
skills to higher education students and those already in employment
via industry-accredited courses at 25 traditional universities across
Britain, and education providers such as the Open University, Birkbeck and FutureLearn.
It will be funded via a £20 million investment from the Government
and £20 million from the consortium and other industry partners. Dr Rachid Hourizi, Director of the Institute of
Coding, said: “The strength of the Institute of Coding lies in the
fact that it brings together educators, employers and outreach groups
to co-develop digital skills education at undergraduate and masters
level for learners in universities, at work and in previously
under-supported groups across the country.
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South Jordan, Utah (USA)
Middle Students Crowned State Champs!
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