How can a community college faculty member improve retention and persistence in an introductory computer science (CS1) course?

Abstract

This action research study investigated how a community college faculty member can improve completion rates in introductory computer science (CS1) courses. Some students think the CS1 course is challenging or non-interesting after taking the class midway and then dropping out. Others would fail the exams repeatedly. Since the exams are mostly cumulative, students who fail the earlier exams would be very likely to fail again in the later exams, so it is essential to help students to learn the materials well at the beginning. This action research combined students' participation, supplemental instruction, lecture videos, and additional problem exercises to help students succeed in the CS1 courses. --Author's abstract