Computer Science Education Research Articles

Counter-hegemonic Computing: Toward Computer Science Education for Value Generation and Emancipation

Students’ lives, both in and out of school, are full of different forms of value. Wealthy students enjoy value in the form of financial capital; their fit to hegemonic social practices; excellent health care and so on. Low-income students, especially those from African American, Native American, and Latinx communities, often lack access to those resources. But there are other forms of value that low-income students do possess. Most examples of what we will call Counter-Hegemonic Practice (CHP) in the African American community involve some mixture of Indigenous African heritage, contemporary innovation in the Black community, and other influences. Moving between these value forms and the computing classroom is a non-trivial task, especially if we are to avoid merely using the appearance of culture to attract students. Our objective in this paper is to provide a framework for deeper investigations into the computational potentials for CHP; its potential as a link between education and community development; and a more dignified role for its utilization in the CS classroom. We report on a series of collaborative engagements with CHP, largely focused on African American communities.

PuzzleMe: Leveraging Peer Assessment for In-Class Programming Exercises

Peer assessment, as a form of collaborative learning, can engage students in active learning and improve their learning gains. However, current teaching platforms and programming environments provide little support to integrate peer assessment for in-class programming exercises. We identified challenges in conducting such exercises and adopting peer assessment through formative interviews with instructors of introductory programming courses. To address these challenges, we introduce PuzzleMe, a tool to help Computer Science instructors to conduct engaging in-class programming exercises. PuzzleMe leverages peer assessment to support a collaboration model where students provide timely feedback on their peers' work. We propose two assessment techniques tailored to in-class programming exercises: live peer testing and live peer code review. Live peer testing can improve students' code robustness by allowing them to create and share lightweight tests with peers. Live peer code review can improve code understanding by intelligently grouping students to maximize meaningful code reviews. A two-week deployment study revealed that PuzzleMe encourages students to write useful test cases, identify code problems, correct misunderstandings, and learn a diverse set of problem-solving approaches from peers.

Teachers’ Engagement and Self-Efficacy in a PK–12 Computer Science Teacher Virtual Community of Practice

<p>Prekindergarten to 12th-grade teachers of computer science (CS) face many challenges, including isolation, limited CS professional development resources, and low levels of CS teaching self-efficacy that could be mitigated through communities of practice (CoPs). This study used survey data from 420 PK–12 CS teacher members of a virtual CoP, CS for All Teachers, to examine the needs of these teachers and how CS teaching self-efficacy, community engagement, and sharing behaviors vary by teachers’ instructional experiences and school levels taught. Results show that CS teachers primarily join the CoP to gain high-quality pedagogical, assessment, and instructional resources. The study also found that teachers with more CS teaching experience have higher levels of self-efficacy and are more likely to share resources than teachers with less CS teaching experience. Moreover, teachers who instruct students at higher grade levels (middle and high school) have higher levels of CS teaching self-efficacy than do teachers who instruct lower grade levels (elementary school). These results suggest that CoPs can help CS teachers expand their professional networks, gain more professional development resources, and increase CS teaching self-efficacy by creating personalized experiences that consider teaching experience and grade levels taught when guiding teachers to relevant content. This study lays the foundation for future explorations of how CS education–focused CoPs could support the expansion of CS education in PK–12 schools.</p>

Preparing School Leaders to Advance Equity in Computer Science Education

<p><strong>Background and Context:</strong> Most large-scale statewide initiatives of the Computer Science for All (CS for All) movement have focused on the classroom level. Critical questions remain about building school and district leadership capacity to support teachers while implementing equitable computer science education that is scalable and sustainable.</p> <p><strong>Objective:</strong> This statewide research-practice partnership, involving university researchers and school leaders from 14 local education agencies (LEA) from district and county offices, addresses the following research question: What do administrators identify as most helpful for understanding issues related to equitable computer science implementation when engaging with a guide and workshop we collaboratively developed to help leadership in such efforts?</p> <p><strong>Method:</strong> Participant surveys, interviews, and workshop observations were analyzed to understand best practices for professional development supporting educational leaders.</p> <p><strong>Findings:</strong> Administrators value computer science professional development resources that: (a) have a clear focus on “equity;” (b) engage with data and examples that deepen understandings of equity; (c) provide networking opportunities; (d) have explicit workshop purpose and activities; and (e) support deeper discussions of computer science implementation challenges through pairing a workshop and a guide.</p> <p><strong>Implications:</strong> Utilizing Ishimaru and Galloway’s (2014) framework for equitable leadership practices, this study offers an actionable construct for equitable implementation of computer science including (a) how to build equity leadership and vision; (b) how to enact that vision; and (c) how to scale and sustain that vision. While this construct applies to equitable leadership practices more broadly across all disciplines, we found its application particularly useful when explicitly focused on equity leadership practices in computer science.</p>

РОЗВИТОК SOFT SKILLS НА УРОКАХ ІНФОРМАТИКИ В ОСНОВНІЙ ШКОЛІ

The paper describes the complex of computer science lessons for secondary school students, aimed at forming soft skills, among which are communication skills (in particular, the ability to dialogue and discussion), teamwork (cooperation), leadership, logical thinking, creativity, time management. The relevance of the study is due to the need to understand the possibilities of computer science lessons in terms of development of modern schoolchildren soft skills, which are the key to successful further study and future professional realization. The research methodology contains general theoretical and special methods. The aim of the study is to describe and characterize the author's set of non-standard computer science lessons for secondary school students, which promotes the development of soft skills. The complex consists of three consecutive lessons and involves students working on their own projects in microgroups, a competition for these projects and a press conference of the jury, during which the results of the competition are discussed. The project method stimulates creativity, elements of competition contribute to the formation of teamwork and leadership skills. Independent elaboration of the topic with the subsequent acquaintance with several variants of its presentation consolidates knowledge. An additional factor in strengthening knowledge is the visualization of educational material, implemented in presentations. The paper examines the correlation between the type of lesson and the development of specific soft skills. The main educational tasks that should be used in computer science lessons for the development of soft skills include problem (identify the most interesting topics) and creative (create your own project-presentation) ones. Involvement of the element of competition (project competition) contributes to the intensification of learning, helps to form teamwork, and increases student motivation. Prospects for further research are seen in the implementation of the proposed complex into the teaching of computer science in Kremenchuk secondary schools in order to prove its effectiveness. Key words: primary school, computer science lesson, soft skills, non-standard lesson, project work, lesson-competition, lesson-press conference.

Computational Thinking Goes to School: Implications for Teacher Education in Brazil

Integrating Computational Thinking (CT) and Computer Science (CS) concepts into school curricula is a global trend nowadays. However, most research and educational programs and products focus on students’ needs, while much less work is being done on teacher education, so that they develop subject and pedagogical knowledge on CT. Reflecting an encouragement for autonomous learning, some CT resources for in-service teachers are available, such as online courses for building capacity as well as tools and activities for lessons. Meanwhile, the Brazilian government has already determined that CT must be present in school curricula and also in teacher education programs from all areas of knowledge. Nevertheless, little change is perceived in Brazilian schools, and knowledge about CT among school teachers is still incipient, indicating that, for teachers to integrate CT within their disciplines, in service development might not be sufficient. Meanwhile, faculty from teacher education programs have been mostly unresponsive to the new demands related to CT, and face the not surprising barrier of their own lack of knowledge on the topic. In the Brazilian context, CS teacher education programs could be a key to solving this puzzle, as both faculty and student teachers are dealing with CS Education and CT. However, CS student teachers remain isolated and often ignored by national policies, while most investment is made on in-service development for school teachers. This paper presents CT research in Brazil related to teacher education, resources for in-service training, the potential contribution of the CS teacher education programs, and, within this context, discusses which directions could be followed to inform national policies and curricula adaptations in higher education institutions (HEI). More attention must be given to developing CT in HEI, including faculty’s CT knowledge and curriculum redesign. In this direction, the new Brazilian network of CS teacher education programs (ReLic) has a great potential to establish an interdisciplinary dialogue that could help meet the demands of contemporary education.

Design Learning environment based on ISTE standards.

The study aimed to design learning environment based on ISTE standards for students and computer science educators. For answering the questions of the study, the researchers adopted the descriptive approach, they Identified the ISTE standards and analyzed the content of instructional technology course based on ISTE standards for students and for computer science educators, then they designed learning environment based on this standard. The sample of the study consists of all students enrolled for an instructional technology course at the first semester 2017 in faculty of education in the Islamic University; the tool of the study was a content analysis to analyze and design the learning environment based on ISTE standards. The study recommended Integrate ISTE standards in academic preparation programs for teachers of faculty of education and Hold training courses for students and teachers in universities to introduce ISTE standards, and motivate teachers and students to embrace these standards.

ITiCSE 2022 preview

The 27th annual ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE) will take place in Dublin, Ireland, hosted by University College Dublin (UCD), with support from the Technological University of Dublin (TU Dublin).

Design Learning Environment Based on ISTE Standards

The study aimed to design learning environment based on ISTE standards for students and computer science educators. For answering the questions of the study, the researchers adopted the descriptive approach, they Identified the ISTE standards and analyzed the content of instructional technology course based on ISTE standards for students and for computer science educators, then they designed learning environment based on this standard. The sample of the study consists of all students enrolled for an instructional technology course at the first semester 2017 in faculty of education in the Islamic University; the tool of the study was a content analysis to analyze and design the learning environment based on ISTE standards. The study recommended Integrate ISTE standards in academic preparation programs for teachers of faculty of education and Hold training courses for students and teachers in universities to introduce ISTE standards, and motivate teachers and students to embrace these standards.

Scenario-Based Algorithmics: Coding Algorithms by Automatic Composition of Separate Concerns

A method for programming reactive systems, called scenario-based algorithmics, can have several advantages, both in programming and in computer science education. We provide new examples, experiments, and perspectives.

Professional development workshop for new and aspiring educators at SIGCSE 2022

A successful career as an educator involves more than a deep understanding of a research area. Even so, many new CS educators experience relatively little training as educators - and face more questions than answers, e.g., How do I find a career path and institution that are right for me? What strategies can I use during the job search and interviewing process to achieve my goals? What tips could help me organize a course, scaffold engaging experiences, and build lasting relationships with students? What practical steps can I take to support equity, diversity, and inclusion in my work?

THE IMPORTANCE AND NECESSITY OF TEACHING COMPUTER SCIENCE AND PROGRAMMING FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

The article highlights the importance and objective necessity of teaching computer science and programming to primary school students in the progress of the country's education system at the current stage of development. Furthermore, it outlines the specifics of computer literacy and skills development for primary school students in the context of the development of the digital economy. The article describes that in a developing information society, the basis of social development is not only traditional opportunities, but also people's ability, initiative, creative approach to work, intellectual activity, independent improvement of their knowledge and skills, and, at the same time, the processes of storing, transmitting and receiving large amounts of data are the biggest impetus for the development of computer technology in various fields of human activity.

EDUCATIONAL INFORMATION PORTALS AS AN ADDITIONAL RESOURCE FOR TEACHING COMPUTER SCIENCE IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

This article contains information about the use of educational portals in teaching the subject «Computer Science» in a secondary school. The current situation with the pandemic, the rapid transition of educational organizations to distance learning, the lack of full-fledged teacher-student interaction, and at the same time the lack of proper assimilation of information requires school teachers to modernize teaching approaches with an emphasis on the independent work of students. At the moment, Kazakhstan’s education is undergoing a number of reforms, in particular digitalization and automation of the educational process, the introduction of e-learning in schools in Kazakhstan. The rapid development of information technologies is replacing traditional static websites used for online education with interactive intellectual portals that provide additional opportunities for learning new, more in-depth knowledge that cannot be achieved using only traditional teaching methods. The article contains a comparative analysis of educational portals proposed by the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan for additional distance self-education of schoolchildren. The analysis was carried out according to the following criteria: the availability of materials of the school course «Computer Science», the method of submitting new material, compliance with the requirements of the state standard, a way to consolidate new knowledge in the form of tests, simulators, practical tasks, and more. It was found out that not all the proposed portals contain materials on a school subject, many portals require registration and a fee for use, some portals are only in the state language, which limits universal access.

Design strategies to integrate creative learning in elementary school curricula through computer programming activities

ABSTRACT Cultivating children’s creativity and imagination is fundamental to preparing them for an increasingly complex and uncertain future. Engaging in creative learning enables children to think independently and critically, work cooperatively, and take risks while actively engaged in meaningful projects. While current trends in education, such as maker movements and computer science education, are dramatically expanding children’s opportunities for engagement in creative learning, comparatively few empirical studies explore how creative learning can be integrated into elementary school curricula. In this paper, we investigated five key design strategies for integrating creative learning in school curricula through computer programming activities. The five design strategies, drawn from design meetings with in-service teachers and two pilot studies, comprise (1) prepare an object-to-think-with for specific curricular ideas, (2) find a context that provokes a leap of ideas within a disciplinary framework, (3) facilitate tinkering through disciplinary inquiry, (4) pair students and establishing developer and researcher roles, and (5) provide feedback to connect computer programming projects to disciplinary ideas. Implementing these strategies with mixed-method analysis indicated positive support for the efficacy of these design strategies. We also provide insights into difficulties with integrating creative learning into school curricula.

Comparing learners\u2019 knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes between two instructional modes of computer programming in secondary education

BackgroundUnplugged programming is proved to be an effective means to foster the learner-centered programming learning. In addition to the final tests, learners’ programming knowledge, skills, and capacities are primarily demonstrated throughout the programming process, particularly in the situation when they encounter challenges and problems. However, few studies examine how learners engage in the programming processes and to what extent unplugged programming fosters learning. This research used a quasi-experimental design to investigate two instructional modes in China’s secondary education, namely, the instructor-directed lecturing and the learner-centered unplugged programming. Based on an analytical framework, this research used mixed methods to compare learners’ knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes under these two instructional modes.ResultsThe research results revealed discrepancies between two instructional modes. First, learners in the unplugged programming class achieved significantly higher scores on the programming knowledge assessment, compared to learners in the traditional lecturing class. Second, compared to the traditional lecturing class, learners in the unplugged programming class had higher test scores of the computational thinking skills, particularly on the cooperativity dimension. Next, discrepancies of in-class behaviors showed that learners in the unplugged programming class had frequent behaviors of listening to the instructor’s instructions and discussing with peers, while learners in the instructor-directed class had frequent behaviors of listening to instructor, taking notes, and irrelevant activities. Learners’ self-reported attitudes in the unplugged programming indicated a higher level of confidence than learners in the traditional lecturing class. Overall, this research revealed that the learner-centered unplugged programming had potential to improve learners’ programming knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes compared to the traditional instructor-directed lecturing of programming.ConclusionsAs a feasible and easy-to-use instructional activity in computer science education, unplugged programming is encouraged to be integrated in formal education to increase learners’ programming interests, motivations, and qualities. This quasi-experimental research compared learners’ programming knowledge, behaviors, and attitudes under two instructional modes. The results revealed critical discrepancies between two instructional modes on learners’ knowledge gains, in-class behaviors, and changes of attitudes towards programming. Pedagogical and analytical implications were provided for future instructional design and learning analytics of computer programming education.

Open Educational Practices in Learning and Teaching of Computer Science

This paper shows several actions that address the use and development of open educational resources (OERs) and the utilisation of open source machine virtualization tools for Moodle course instantiation in a Computer Science-based Teacher Training course. The training is dedicated to show the basic characteristics and tools present in e-learning environments and to transmit the knowledge to develop educational resources and personalize different learning environments. The learning activities have been designed following the constructive approach, in the form of practical tasks that ensure the training of students in the self-implementation and personalisation of e-learning courses embedded into virtual machines. Students learn how to do the pedagogical design, to set up a delivery, and perform to develop their own resources and re-use from others. Finally, students have to assess the quality of the OERs following the UNE71362 standard. As a transversal pedagogical objective of the Master’s course, the learning aims to help the dissemination and awareness of the UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4) which ensures inclusive and equitable quality education and fosters lifelong learning opportunities for all. In this sense, specific OER development for gender inclusion and accessibility for all learners has been promoted.

Use Hopscotch to Develop Positive Attitudes Toward Programming For Elementary School Students

With the advancement in technology and the emphasis on computer science education, there has been a strong push for more widespread programming instruction at K-12 and higher education levels. Existing research has mostly focused on students at the secondary and post-secondary levels. Little work has involved students at the elementary school age, which has been considered a critical age to cultivate an interest in programming. The current study aimed to investigate the effects of a block-based programming interface (e.g., Hopscotch) on elementary school students’ attitudes toward programming. In this study, eighteen elementary school students in 4th -5th grades participated in a programming curriculum for about seven weeks in the US. A survey on attitude toward programming was distributed before and after the curriculum, to explore the change in attitudes toward programming. Students’ perception toward the block-based programming interface (e.g., Hopscotch) was also examined after the curricular activities. Students’ activities in lessons and artifacts from the culminating project were observed. The findings indicated that elementary school students had a positive perception of programming in the block-based programming interface. Also, the block-based programming activities contributed to more positive attitudes toward programming. Implications and limitations of the study were discussed.

DETERMINING THE CONTENT OF TEACHING FUTURE COMPUTER SCIENCE TEACHERS OBJECT-ORIENTED PROGRAMMING USING INFOGRAPHICS

The article considers the issue of teaching object-oriented programming courses for future teachers of computer science and the content of the course. The authors substantiate the role and importance of teaching object-oriented programming in the training of future teachers of computer science. The main idea of ​​this work is the use of infographics in the teaching of object-oriented programming. As a result of the analysis of foreign experience, literary sources, the authors identified the main problems of teaching object-oriented programming, as well as considered the work of various scientists who offer different methods and techniques of teaching OOP.

Using Scratch to Teach Computer Science in the Language Classroom

Using Scratch to Teach Computer Science in the Language Classroom

Female computer science students: A qualitative exploration of women\u2019s experiences studying computer science at university in the UK

The under-representation of w omen in computer science education courses is well documented, and the social and commercial need to address this is widely recognised. Previous literature offers some explanation for this gender imbalance, but there has been limited qualitative data to provide an in-depth understanding of existing quantitative findings. This study explores the lived experiences of female computer science students and how they experience the male dominated learning environment. Female computer science students from eight universities were interviewed (n = 23) and data were analysed using template analysis. Whilst these women have not been troubled by their sense of fit at university, a combination of stereotypical assumptions of male superiority in this field, and a masculine, agentic learning environment, has left them feeling less technologically capable and less motivated. The findings are discussed in terms of Cheryan et al.’s tripartite model for women’s participation in STEM (2017) and we recommend that computer science departments should consider feminist pedagogy to ensure that all learners can be well supported.