College Students' Conceptions of Learning of and Approaches to Learning Computer Science

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 13
  In Poster Session: Computer and Internet Applications in Education

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to examine college students’ conceptions of learning and approaches to learning computer science, and to examine the relationships among these two important constructs and possible moderating factors. Student data (N = 193) were collected using the Conceptions of Learning Computer Science (COLCS) and the Approaches to Learning Computer Science (ALCS) surveys at one public research institution in the southeastern United States. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) models, internal consistency reliability, Pearson correlations, stepwise multiple regression models, and Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) models. Results show meaningful relationships among these constructs and some notable differences based on gender and minority status. The proposal provides an overview of these outcomes.

Authors

• Karthikeyan Umapathy, University of North Florida

• Albert Dieter Ritzhaupt, University of Florida

• Zhen Xu, University of Florida