Introductory computer programming (i.e. CS1) is the entry point into the computer science major at higher education institutions worldwide. It introduces foundational concepts to students that are then built upon in future courses. Computer science as a whole has struggled to attract and retain students in the major, particularly women and…

This paper is an experiential report describing the faculty and student experiences and knowledge gained from developing an Internet of Things (IoT) course within an Information Technology (IT) Department at a large southeastern United States public university. The paper contributes insights gained developing the introductory IoT course, and it…

Aim/Purpose: The need for this paper arises from the lack of comprehensive studies comparing the impact of cloud-based versus local database systems on student learning outcomes. Specifically, there is a need to understand how these different approaches affect usability and cognitive load in educational settings, which are critical factors for…

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been widely adopted in higher education. However, the current research on AI in higher education is limited, lacking both breadth and depth. In the present study, we addressed this research gap by exploring students' perception of learning in AI-related courses facilitated by an open experiential AI platform.…

In a previous publication we examined the connections between high-school computer science (CS) and computing higher education. The results were promising -- students who were exposed to computing in high school were more likely to take one of the computing disciplines. However, these correlations were not necessarily causal. Possibly those…

Artificial Intelligence and its sub-disciplines are becoming increasingly relevant in numerous areas of academia as well as industry and can now be considered a core area of Computer Science. The Higher Education sector are offering more courses in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence than ever before. However, there is a lack of research…

Contribution: This research explores the benefits and challenges of developing, deploying, and evaluating a large language model (LLM) chatbot, MoodleBot, in computer science classroom settings. It highlights the potential of integrating LLMs into LMSs like Moodle to support self-regulated learning (SRL) and help-seeking behavior. Background:…

Programs in bioinformatics, offered in many academic institutes, are assumed to expand women's representation in computer science (CS). Women's enrolment in these programs is high. Our questions are: Do these programs attract different women from those attracted to CS programs? What factors underlie women's decision to enroll in bioinformatics…

E-exams used in higher education can accommodate a range of assignment types that have traditionally been conducted with pen-and-paper. However, one issue that remains a challenge is proper support of sketching in larger, generic e-exams systems. Different types of sketching assignment demand input devices suited to the specific type of…

SCRATCH, developed by the Media Lab at MIT, is a kid-friendly visual programming language, designed to introduce programming to children and teens in a "more thinkable, more meaningful, and more social" way. Although it was initially intended for K-12 students, educators have used it for higher education as well, and found it…

The positive influence of active learning methods for Higher Education is widely studied and is well documented in the research literature. However, there is very little research on active learning impact on Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accredited business programs which include a Science, Technology, Engineering,…

This paper address how we may understand inclusion strategies designed to reduce the gender gap in higher education in engineering and ICT engineering in particular. Based on a case study of a long-term inclusion effort and statistics on recruitment and retainment, we argue that inclusion initiatives which address important inclusion needs and put…

The purpose of this study was to compare community college students' learning experiences and performance for lecture-based, active learning, and flipped classroom teaching approaches. Participants were second-semester computer programming students (n = 103) at a mid-sized college of applied arts and technology. Garrison's (2011) Community of…

The vision of Smart Connected Community (SCC) is to integrate technology to improve economy, safety, education, health and provide equity in the society. Human factor plays a vital role in the SCC in human societal, psychological, physical factors in the technology uses from various aspects. In this research, first, we have studied the impact of…

Game-based learning has received significant attention in educational pedagogy as an effective way of increasing student motivation and engagement. The majority of the work in this area has been focused on digital games or games involving technology. We focus on the use of traditional game design in improving student engagement and perception of…