Blogs (19) >>
Fri 17 Mar 2023 14:35 - 15:00 at 801A - K-12: Pedagogical Innovations 2 Chair(s): Anita Debarlaben

Teaching computer programming to K-12 learners is widely recognized as important for invoking interest in computing in college and beyond. Specifically, with respect to middle school students, several computing education efforts do an excellent job of making the curricula engaging through block-based and multimedia project-based content. However, the programming concepts covered are notably and understandably simpler than those covered in college-level AP CS or CS1. We instead believe that today’s college-level CS1 curricula can and should be taught to middle school and early high school students. In this paper, we discuss our efforts in adapting the CS1 course offered at a large public university, for teaching programming to this age group. Over the course of 15 months, we designed and taught the adapted 16-lecture course to multiple sections of middle and early high school students (ranging from 6th to 10th grade and beyond). Our adaptations included persistent use of memory diagrams, extensive practice, and engaging reviews. Analysis of the final course assessment and surveys showed that these students were able to learn CS1 concepts in depth. Our results held regardless of grade level, mathematics knowledge, and acceleration level, but varied with students absences and gender. We urge the CS education community to adopt our approach widely.

Fri 17 Mar

Displayed time zone: Eastern Time (US & Canada) change

13:45 - 15:00
K-12: Pedagogical Innovations 2Papers at 801A
Chair(s): Anita Debarlaben University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
13:45
25m
Paper
A Summer Camp Experience to Engage Middle School Learners in AI through Conversational App DevelopmentK12In-PersonERT Best Paper
Papers
Gloria Ashiya Katuka University of Florida, Yvonika Auguste University of Florida, Yukyeong Song University of Florida, Xiaoyi Tian University of Florida, Amit Kumar University of Florida, Mehmet Celepkolu University of Florida, Kristy Elizabeth Boyer University of Florida, Joanne Barrett University of Florida, Maya Israel University of Florida, Tom McKlin The Findings Group
DOI
14:10
25m
Paper
Learner Ideas and Interests Expressed in Open-ended Projects in a Middle School Computer Science CurriculumK12In-Person
Papers
Jennifer Tsan WestEd, David Weintrop University of Maryland, Donna Eatinger University of Chicago, Diana Franklin University of Chicago
DOI
14:35
25m
Paper
Using Foundational CS1 Curricula For Middle School & Early High School Computer Programming EducationK12In-Person
Papers
Gurmeher Kaur Chapel Hill High School, Kris Jordan The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Jasleen Kaur The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
DOI