Visual program simulation (VPS) is a new, interactive form of educational program visualisation, in which learners use graphical controls to direct a program's execution rather than simply watching an animation of it. In this article, we report on a qualitative empirical study of novice programmers learning through VPS. From an analysis of…

The purpose of this study was to evaluate student understanding and application of computational thinking patterns to novel situations. Over 500 students, who had just designed and programmed a Frogger-style game using the AgentSheets platform, responded to a newly developed video-prompt survey instrument administered in the Fall 2010 semester.…

This interview reviews Don Knuth's life and contributions and his views on a variety of mathematical and computer-related topics. He is viewed as the pre-eminent scholar of computer science in the world, and is probably best known for a series of books titled, "The Art of Computer Programing." (MP)

Among educational researchers and practitioners, there is a growing interest in employing computer games for pedagogical purposes. The present research integrated a technology education class and a science class where 5th graders learned about environmental issues by designing games that involved environmental concepts. The purposes of this study…

This paper explores a relatively new area in the design and development of assessment procedures for the evaluation of coursework and student performance on computer and video games degrees. Emphasis is placed on an assessment which involves the development of and interaction in a virtual world, where lecturers and students are represented as…

Ten years after the groundbreaking "From Barbie to Mortal Kombat" highlighted the ways gender stereotyping and related social and economic issues permeate digital game play, the number of women and girl gamers has risen considerably. Despite this, gender disparities remain in gaming. Women may be warriors in "World of…

A collection of interviews and an overview of the Minnesota Educational Computing Consortium (MECC) are presented. (MP)

In order to determine the knowledge and skills needed by novice programmers to successfully learn computer programming, four studies were conducted using a clinical interview technique. The first study determined that many systematic errors in programming were due to programmers' high-level misconceptions of the nature of the computer and of the…

John G. Kemeny, co-author of the BASIC programing language and co-developer of the Dartmouth Time-Sharing System, is interviewed. He responds to questions on computer languages, the role of computer science, future uses of computers, and mathematics instruction. (MP)

This interview with the teacher of a computer course for elementary and junior high schools contains discussions of problems and rewards of such a course. The course is offered as an after school activity. (MP)

Views of Arthur Luehrmann, an individual who has become known as one of the most vociferous advocates of computer literacy in educational computing, are presented. Spending four out of five days in a computer literacy course on computing and one out of five on awareness issues is advocated. (MP)

This book discusses computer coordinator responsibilities and suggests necessary qualifications. The need for computer coordinators is discussed and responsibilities of a building-level computer coordinator are identified to help distinguish this position from that of a computer teacher. A more detailed analysis of the types of activities that…

Data were collected on the training required by people who work with computers, and these data were then used as a basis from which to identify major issues that must be addressed by policymakers concerned with developing computer education and training programs. A total of 196 employers, supervisors, workers, professional societies, unions,…