Learning computer programming is a challenging task for most beginners. Demotivation and learned helplessness are pretty common. A novel instructional technique that leverages the value-expectancy motivational model of student learning was conceptualized by the author to counter the lack of motivation in the introductory class. The result was a…

Students enrolling to university holding vocational qualifications to study Computer Science and Electronic Engineering struggle to adapt to the requirements of academic life. As a result, they show higher dropout rates and perform less well than the sector-adjusted average. Following a socio-cultural approach, we present a practice-based…

Language is central to education, being the core medium of instruction. Researchers and practitioners have long used manual methods to analyze instructional language like classroom discourse and instructional texts, with the goal of facilitating student-centered instruction. In this dissertation, I offer three studies demonstrating how natural…

Collaborative learning is a complex process during which two or more learners exchange opinions, construct shared knowledge, and solve problems together. While engaging in this interactive process, learners' satisfaction toward their partners plays a crucial role in defining the success of the collaboration. If intelligent systems could predict…

Assessment plays an important role in education and can both guide and motivate learning. Assessment can, however, be carried out with different aims: providing the students with feedback that supports the learning (formative assessment) and judging to which degree the students have fulfilled the intended learning outcomes (summative assessment).…

Agile system development approaches, such as Scrum, have become popular with a wide spectrum of organizations from start-ups to government agencies. Recruiters and executives have been seeking graduates with Scrum competency beyond cursory familiarity. CIS programs responded with a variety of activities and exercises to address this need. This…

In this essay, we argue that Twitch is an incredible platform for cultivating discourse-based interviews (DBIs) and has yet to be addressed in DBI research involving digital tools. To demonstrate that argument, we detail the methods behind collaborative research project between two undergraduates and a faculty studying game developers on the…

Computer Science (CS) degrees have some of the poorest continuation rates across HE. This study describes an intervention within a diverse CS student cohort to identify students who may be at risk of mathematical academic failure and the success of student mentor-led workshops in enhancing these students' mathematical ability. Diagnostic screening…

Aim/Purpose: This research aims to describe layering of career-like experiences over existing curriculum to improve perceived educational value. Background: Feedback from students and regional businesses showed a clear need to increase student's exposure to career-like software development projects. The initial goal was to develop an…

Background: Key to optimizing Computational Thinking (CT) instruction is a precise understanding of the underlying cognitive skills. Román-González et al. (2017) reported unique contributions of spatial abilities and reasoning, whereas arithmetic was not significantly related to CT. Disentangling the influence of spatial and numerical skills on CT…

Time management is an important self-regulation strategy that can improve student learning and lead to higher performance. Students who can manage their time effectively are more likely to exhibit consistent engagement in learning activities and to complete course assignments in a timely manner. Well planning of the study time is an essential part…

This is the final report of an independent evaluation of the CompuPower program that was developed by Arizona State University's Center for Gender Equity in Science and Technology (ASU CGEST). CompuPower is a multifaceted program for high school students that is centered on a culturally responsive computing course that includes four key…

The purpose of this action research was to implement a digital game development project and describe its effects on the performance and attitudes of eighth-grade students in a required computer science course at South Carolina School District Alpha. The following research questions were explored: (1) How does the game development project impact…

With the rapid adoption of internet-connected and driver-assist technologies, and the spread of semiautonomous to self-driving cars on roads worldwide, cybersecurity for smart cars is a timely concern and one worth exploring both in the classroom and in the real world. Highly publicized hacks against production cars, and a relatively small number…

This paper examines the effectiveness of programming in pairs in the Scratch environment in primary school. The motivation for tackling this issue is based on the successful use of Scratch as a learning environment for any students of programming. The analysis has shown that that programming in pairs produces better results for beginners in…