Work-Based Learning for Computer Science

Grades 10-12

In partnership with CS4RI, URI has developed curriculum and lesson overview videos for a Work-Based Learning (WBL) for Computer Science (CS) course that includes an academic curriculum integrated with an Industry Project form of WBL as determined by RIDE and the Governors Workforce Board.

This one-semester academic course teaches the students about the software development process used in industry including units on CS Workplace; Ideation (coming up with software product ideas and validating them); Design (user experience and user interface design); Implementation (coding and version control); and Testing (software metrics, analytics, A/B testing). The course makes extensive use of videos provided by Google on the software development process. Students work in teams with an Industry Mentor to follow the process, working with tools such as GitHub, to create a web site for a community organization, for an existing business, or as a start-up company.

Supplementary to this course, CS4RI provides a free Mentor Support Tool kit. The industry project is designed to qualify for the 80hrs of WBL required in RI Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs.