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Helping Engineering Students Learn in Introductory Computer Science (CS1) Using Computational Creativity Exercises (CCEs)
- Source :
- IEEE Transactions on Education. 61:195-203
- Publication Year :
- 2018
- Publisher :
- Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), 2018.
-
Abstract
- Contribution: This paper provides evidence that computational creativity exercises (CCEs) can increase engineering students’ learning in introductory computer science (CS1) courses. Its main contribution is its more rigorous treatment/control group research design that allows testing for causal influences of CCEs on student learning and performance. Background: Computer science (CS) courses are critical foundational courses for engineering students. CCEs that merge computational and creative thinking have been shown to increase achievement and learning of engineering and nonengineering students in CS1 courses, but previous research has used quasi- and non-experimental designs. Intended Outcomes: CCEs are intended to improve students’ learning of CS1 content and problem-solving ability by fostering computational creativity. Application Design: CCEs can improve student learning and can be used to supplement other evidence-based instructional practices. Findings: Propensity score matching was used to create equivalent treatment and control groups; results show that students in the CCE implementation section had higher scores on a CS knowledge test than students in the control section, but not higher self-efficacy for their CS knowledge. Focus group and open-ended survey questions indicated that students had mixed reactions to the CCEs, with about half the students seeing them as improving their learning, understanding, and ability to apply CS in their engineering field. Responses also reinforced the importance of fully incorporating CCEs in courses and aligning them with course topics.
- Subjects :
- Self-efficacy
Teamwork
Computational creativity
Computer science
4. Education
Teaching method
media_common.quotation_subject
05 social sciences
050301 education
02 engineering and technology
Creativity
Focus group
Education
Engineering education
020204 information systems
ComputingMilieux_COMPUTERSANDEDUCATION
0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering
Task analysis
Mathematics education
Electrical and Electronic Engineering
0503 education
media_common
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 15579638 and 00189359
- Volume :
- 61
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- IEEE Transactions on Education
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi...........77e3ba1c101a74df46361b97d55b9c1a