Computing summer camp to pave the way to rigorous and engaging computer science education in career and technical education centers

Abstract

To provide competitive competencies, computing courses can no longer be solely about technological literacy. Instead, computing curricula should be rigorous and engaging, and must address the needs of increasingly diverse high school students. In this paper we briefly describe a project that provides yearlong professional development for high school computing teachers. Integrated with the teacher professional development program is a summer camp for high school students. Preliminary evaluation data of the summer camp curriculum indicates that average scores were higher on the post-camp survey compared to the pre-camp survey for all survey items. The observed differences measured student confidence, interest, and intention to persist in computing, perceived social support and barriers, and outcome expectations. An encouraging outcome was that the summer camp had a statistically significant impact regarding the confidence students gained as a result of their learning experiences.

Publication Date

3-2-2015

Journal Title

Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference

Publisher

AACE

Document Type

Article

Rights

© 2015 AACE

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS