Computer Science

Exploring the Difficulties African-American Middle School Girls Face Enacting Computational Algorithmic Thinking over three Years while Designing Games for Social Change

Computational algorithmic thinking (CAT) is the ability to design, implement, and assess the implementation of algorithms to solve a range of problems. It involves identifying and understanding a problem, articulating an algorithm or set of algorithms in the form of a solution to the problem, implementing that solution in such a way that the solution solves the problem, and evaluating the solution based on some set of criteria.

Author/Presenter

Jakita O. Thomas

Yolanda Rankin

Rachelle Minor

Li Sun

Lead Organization(s)
Year
2017
Short Description

This article explores middle school girls' reflections about the difficulties they faced while using computational algorithmic thinking capabilities as they engaged in collaborative game design for social change. Authors focus on how these difficulties changed over the course of three years as well as new difficulties that emerged from year to year as girls become more expert game designers and computational algorithmic thinkers.

Understanding the Difficulties African-American Middle School Girls Face While Enacting Computational Algorithmic Thinking in the Context of Game Design

Computational algorithmic thinking (CAT) is the ability to design, implement, and assess the implementation of algorithms to solve a range of problems. It involves identifying and understanding a problem, articulating an algorithm or set of algorithms in the form of a solution to the problem, implementing that solution in such a way that it solves the problem, and evaluating the solution based on some set of criteria. CAT has roots in Mathematics, through problem solving and algorithmic thinking. CAT lies at the heart of Computer Science, which is defined as the study of algorithms.

Author/Presenter

Jakita O. Thomas

O. Carlette Odemwingie

Quimeka Saunders

Malika Watlerd

Lead Organization(s)
Year
2015
Short Description

This article introduces CAT as explored through the Supporting Computational Algorithmic Thinking (SCAT) project, an ongoing longitudinal between-subjects research project and enrichment program that guides African-American middle school girls (SCAT Scholars) through the iterative game design cycle resulting in a set of complex games around broad themes.

2019 International Conference on Computer-Supported Collaborative Learning; Lyon, France

Event Date
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To learn more, visit https://www.cscl2019.com/en/-home/4.

DRK-12 Presenters:

  • Camillia Matuk*, New York University
  • Nadav Ehrenfeld and Ilana Horn, Vanderbilt University

*Denotes CADRE Fellow or Fellows alumnus

Discipline/Topic
Event Type

STEAM-Based Interventions in Computer Science: Understanding Feedback Loops in the Classroom

Many organizations are seeking to address the need for greater numbers of computer scientists in the US, and in particular, more women and underrepresented minorities. It is not uncommon to develop curriculum that relies heavily on cutting edge technology and computing tools designed to make computing more compelling. Many curriculum developers are seeking to promote creativity as a part of computing, and often do so using STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) based interventions where the arts play a prominent role in the classroom.

Author/Presenter

Roxanne Moore

Michael Helms

Michael Helms

Year
2017
Short Description

In this paper, authors present the causal loop diagrams developed to explain the relationships between the actors and attributes involved in implementing EarSketch in a particular school setting. The diagram allows us to better make decisions that ensure both an engaging but also effective STEAM-based computing curriculum.

Turn-Taking and Chatting in Collaborative Music Live Coding

Co-located collaborative live coding is a potential approach to network music and to the music improvisation practice known as live coding. A common strategy to support communication between live coders and the audience is the use of a chat window. However, paying attention to simultaneous multi-user actions, such as chat texts and code, can be too demanding to follow. In this paper, we explore collaborative music live coding (CMLC) using the live coding environment and pedagogical tool EarSketch.

Author/Presenter

Anna Xambó

Pratik Shah

Gerard Roma

Jason Freeman

Brian Magerko

Year
2017
Short Description

In this paper, authors explore collaborative music live coding (CMLC) using the live coding environment and pedagogical tool EarSketch. In particular, we examine the use of turn-taking and a customized chat window inspired by the practice of pair programming, a team-based strategy to efficiently solving computational problems.

Authenticity and Personal Creativity: How EarSketch Affects Student Persistence

McKlin, T., Magerko, B., Lee, T., Wanzer, D., Edwards, D., & Freeman, J. (2018). Authenticity and personal creativity: How EarSketch affects student persistence. In Proceedings of the 49th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE 2018). New York, NY: ACM Publications.

Author/Presenter

Tom McKlin

Brian Magerko

Taneisha Lee

Dana Wanzer

Doug Edwards

Jason Freeman

Year
2018
Short Description

This conference paper explains how EarSketch affects student persistence.

eColloq Webinar: Cyberlearning Tools for Mobile, Community Engaged, and Connected Learning

Event Date
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The second webinar in a new eColloq Series on Cyberlearning featured presentations by Katie Headrick Taylor and Tom Moher on their research, followed by discussion. The eColloq will be chaired by Michael Hoffmann, Georgia Institute of Technology.

REGISTER 

Event Type

MSPnet Academy: Infusing Computational Thinking into Science Education

The Santa Fe Institute has been developing programs and curricula that infuse computational thinking into Science education for the past 12 years. In this webinar, presenters describe how the study of Complex Adaptive Systems through computer modeling and simulation fits into existing science frameworks and classes, share information about their program and curricula, and describe the professional development needed to prepare Science teachers to address the computational thinking practices presented in the NRC framework and NGSS.

Author/Presenter

Irene Lee

Paige Prescott

Maureen Psaila-Dombrowski

Lead Organization(s)
Year
2015
Short Description

In this webinar, presenters describe how the study of Complex Adaptive Systems through computer modeling and simulation fits into existing science frameworks and classes, share information about their program and curricula, and describe the professional development needed to prepare Science teachers to address the computational thinking practices presented in the NRC framework and NGSS.

Computer Science, Coding, and Project-Based Learning for Engineering Instruction

Chapter 7 of the publication Engineering Instruction for High-Ability Learners in K-8 Classrooms, this chapter written by Irene Lee and April DeGennaro focuses on computer science, coding, and project-based learning for engineering instruction.

Citation: Lee, I. & DeGennaro, A. 2016. Computer Science, Coding, and Project-Based Learning for Engineering Instruction. In Dailey, D. & Cotabish, A. (Eds.), Engineering Instruction for High-Ability Learners in K-8 Classrooms.  Prufrock Press. Austin, TX. 

Author/Presenter

Irene lee

April DeGennaro

Lead Organization(s)
Year
2016
Short Description

Chapter 7 of the publication Engineering Instruction for High-Ability Learners in K-8 Classrooms, this chapter written by Irene Lee and April DeGennaro focuses on computer science, coding, and project-based learning for engineering instruction.