The purpose of this study was to explore how elementary school teachers think about equity in relation to their goals in their computer science instruction, and to explore the strategies they articulated to make their practice more equitable. States are mandating computer science standards and instruction and requiring schools to teach the content…

Unified Modeling Language (UML) Class Diagramming is the commonly accepted mechanism used to describe relationships between software components. In addition, it is an essential educational tool that is used to convey the structure of software and the patterns of software design to students. Unfortunately, UML is a visual-only mechanism and…

Research has shown that inequitable participation in computer science education is an occupational injustice for students with disabilities, as it is an unfair and inequitable distribution of occupational opportunities. There is limited information regarding how schools' capacity for and access to computer science education relates to the…

The rapid evolution of technology and its integration across virtually every field has made computer science (CS) education a crucial component of modern curricula. Despite the increasing demand for CS skills and being the top source of new wage creation in the U.S., CS education remains undervalued and underrepresented in high school systems.…

This study aimed to examine the impact of cultural capital (Bourdieu, 1973; Bourdieu & Passeron, 1977) on the access and equity of C-STEM learners of color under the following four tenets of Yosso's (2005) Community Cultural Wealth model: aspirational, familial, social, and navigational capital. A theoretical framework of Critical Race Theory…

The "Computer Science for All" (CS for All) movement launched in 2016, following a decade of increasing support for broadening access to computer science education in K-12. In the years since, it has grown into a broad-based effort to equip all students with the skills they need to thrive in a digital society. CS for All follows a long…

There has been an increase of both neurodivergent students and enrollment in Computer Science programs in higher education. These increases have brought attention to two separate challenges: neurodivergent college students struggle more compared to their neurotypical peers and many students struggle in introductory computer science courses. This…

This study sought to address the gap in knowledge about the effect of UDL features on asynchronous online postsecondary learners' achievement, engagement, and self-efficacy. The study also described a process for redesigning an online course to incorporate UDL components and provided specific examples of the implemented UDL guidelines. The study…

The education of students on existing and emerging technologies in higher education environments requires access to complex software. The rise of the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) phenomenon in many postsecondary educational institutions, along with the increasing complexity of technological coursework, creates challenges for students needing…

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly ubiquitous in society, conversational agents such as Siri, Alexa, and ChatGPT are shaping the experiences of younger generations. However, these young users often lack opportunities to learn about the inner workings of these AI technologies. One way to foster such learning is by empowering…

The field of computer science education currently lacks consistency in access, equity, and inclusion for students in historically marginalized groups, particularly students with disabilities. At the same time, research demonstrates a need for high-quality teacher professional development to support the inclusion of students with disabilities in…

This dissertation was a comparative study of computer science in secondary schools in both Ireland and the United States. Computer science was a new subject compared to more established subjects in both Ireland and the United States. This dissertation looked at how this subject could be accessed by students in both countries. I used a document…

Computer science impacts our lives every day in a multitude of ways. Despite its ubiquity and power to shape the world, the computer science education community continues to struggle with issues of equity. Problems of access, opportunity, influence and achievement are pervasive and while a handful of scholars have investigated specific approaches…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) literacy skills have become essential to prepare youths for 21st- century needs. Despite the efforts to broaden AI education in K-12 classrooms, teaching AI concepts is mostly limited to Computer Science classrooms. Nonetheless, approximately half of U.S. high school students cannot access any Computer Science classes.…

As technology continues to permeate all aspects of modern society, it is critical for PK-12 students to participate in computer science (CS) learning opportunities that prepare them to navigate and leverage technology in their future careers. However, research consistently shows that Black, Hispanic/Latino/a/x, and Native American students,…