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Work-in-progress: Exploring the computer science curriculum from undergraduate students’ perspectives

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Conference

2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Baltimore , Maryland

Publication Date

June 25, 2023

Start Date

June 25, 2023

End Date

June 28, 2023

Conference Session

Computing and Information Technology Division (CIT) Technical Session 5

Tagged Division

Computing and Information Technology Division (CIT)

Tagged Topic

Diversity

Page Count

26

DOI

10.18260/1-2--44419

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/44419

Download Count

279

Paper Authors

biography

Hye Rin Lee University of Delaware

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Hye Rin Lee is a NSF postdoctoral fellow at the University of Delaware. She received her Ph.D. at the University of California, Irvine with a concentration in Human Development in Context. Her research interests include motivation, psychological interventions, role models, academic engagement, and higher education.

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Sotheara Veng University of Delaware

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Yiqin Cao University of Delaware

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M.Ed in Educational Technology
MS. in Statistics

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Juliana Baer University of Delaware

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Teomara Rutherford University of Delaware

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Austin Cory Bart

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Abstract

With large attrition rates among computer science (CS) majors, it is clear that CS undergraduates face challenges completing their degrees. Although much research has tested various teaching strategies and how course outcomes are associated with drop- out rate, little attention has been paid to using a bottom-up, student-centered, qualitative approach with a large sample to understand how to improve required CS courses and curricula. In the present study, we investigated CS college students’ self-reported perceptions of curriculum design and instruction. We invited feedback from undergraduate students who enrolled in CS courses from various stages of the program (N = 445) at a large public Mid-Atlantic university. Specifically, we evaluated what students in CS would change to their required CS courses and/or course sequence through open-ended responses. Results of thematic coding of these responses revealed that students wanted clear connections between courses, course content and program design that were in line with practical skills used in the CS industry, and more effective academic advising and assistance from instructors. Implications and areas of future research will be discussed with respect to beneficial reforms to enhance student learning experiences in CS programs.

Lee, H. R., & Veng, S., & Cao, Y., & Baer, J., & Rutherford, T., & Bart, A. C. (2023, June), Work-in-progress: Exploring the computer science curriculum from undergraduate students’ perspectives Paper presented at 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Baltimore , Maryland. 10.18260/1-2--44419

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