Core Competencies of K–12 Computer Science Education From the Perspectives of College Faculties and K–12 Teachers (Poster 8)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Computational Thinking and the Learner and Educator Experience (San Diego)

Abstract

This phenomenological research aims to identify key factors of computer science (CS) education in K-12 schools from the perspectives and visions of CS faculties in higher education and teachers in K-12 schools. The researchers interviewed 13 faculties and teachers in Michigan and analyzed the data using thematic analysis. The findings indicated that: (1) a majority of interviewees believe that K-12 CS education is necessary, (2) the core competencies for K-12 CS education include problem-solving through computational thinking, math background, and foundational programming skills, and (3) what is important is not the programming languages taught in K-12 schools but computational thinking, which enables the learners to easily transfer from one language environment to another.

Authors

• Meina Zhu, Wayne State University

• Cheng Wang, Wayne State University