Computer science (CS) is the study of the capabilities and limitations of computers. Computational literacy is the ability to understand how CS can be applied in all walks of life. New York City public school students develop computational literacy through creative computing.

Each meaningful unit of CS education combines three core components in 10-25 hours of instructional time:

• Perspectives

  The different stages of CS learning describe how and why your students will tackle a computing task.
• Practices

  The interdependent methods and skills students will need to master in order to solve a problem, answer a question, or express themselves.
• Concepts

  The big ideas students will explore in the process, and better understand when they're done.

Combined, a perspective, practice, and concept describe a new capability students will take away from the unit, and suggest a number of practical skills they've learned in the process. We call these "I Can" statements.