{"id":23647,"date":"2025-04-04T14:51:49","date_gmt":"2025-04-04T14:51:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/news\/?p=23647"},"modified":"2025-04-04T14:51:55","modified_gmt":"2025-04-04T14:51:55","slug":"uf-cseveryone-center-blockly-google-grant","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/news\/2025\/04\/04\/uf-cseveryone-center-blockly-google-grant\/","title":{"rendered":"UF CSEveryone Center Awarded $450,000 Google Grant to Advance Accessible Computer Science Education"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||4px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_3,1_3″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”2_3″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]Andrew Bennett, doctoral candidate at UF, has received a $450,000 grant from Google to explore how students of all abilities can participate and thrive in computer science (CS) environments.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

The University of Florida\u2019s <\/span>CSEveryone Center for Computer Science Education<\/span><\/a> has been awarded a $450,000 grant from Google\u2019s Blockly Accessibility Fund. This funding will support a research project focused on enhancing the accessibility of K-12 computer science education, ensuring students of all abilities can participate and thrive in CS learning environments. The project is led by Andrew Bennett, a doctoral candidate in Curriculum & Instruction with a specialization in Educational Technology, with the center\u2019s director, <\/span>Maya Israel, Ph.D.<\/span><\/a>, as the co-PI.<\/span><\/p>\n

This innovative project will empower teachers with the knowledge and tools to create more inclusive CS classrooms. Teachers will receive professional development on utilizing the POUR (Perceivable, Operable, Understandable, Robust) framework for accessibility in conjunction with Blockly, a block-based programming platform. They will also work with robotics like the <\/span>BBC Micro:Bit V2<\/span><\/a> and DASH robots, gaining hands-on experience integrating accessibility considerations into their lessons.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_3″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/education.ufl.edu\/news\/files\/2025\/04\/ABennettSquare.png” alt=”Headshot of Andrew Bennett, UF educational technology doctoral candidate. ” title_text=”ABennettSquare” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_divider color=”#CC4927″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-8px||-10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_line_height=”0.6em” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Andrew Bennett, doctoral candidate<\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”3px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

This research will inform the development of more accessible educational technologies and practices. As part of the project, teachers will be equipped with iPads and participate in collaborative evaluations, sharing their insights and challenges to build a community of practice focused on inclusive CS education.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The project’s findings will directly benefit Google by providing valuable feedback on the accessibility of Blockly in real-world classroom settings.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThis funding provides a mutually beneficial model,\u201d explains Bennett. \u201cTeachers gain valuable tools and training to better evaluate and implement accessible computer science practices, preparing their students for the 21st-century world.\u00a0 Simultaneously, Google gains critical insights into how the accessibility of their product, Blockly, is experienced in the classroom.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

By bridging research, teaching, and practical application, this initiative aims to enhance teachers\u2019 skills in accessible CS education and shape the future of inclusive learning for all students. This project represents a significant step toward ensuring that computer science education is accessible to every learner.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many physical, cognitive, and other factors to think about when considering the accessibility of computer science education resources.\u201d Bennett said. \u201cAn adapted version of the POUR principles with specific questions to think about can help teachers think through how their students might use a product, making observations about what works and what may need to be adapted or changed.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Portions of this story were created or edited using generative AI.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

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