The Influences Expressed in Open-Ended Student Projects in a Middle School Computer Science Curriculum (Poster 9)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Thirteen
  In Poster Session: Exploring Topics in Computing and Engineering Education

Abstract

Ensuring that computer science curricula connect to students’ home culture, interests, and lived experiences is one approach to making the field more equitable. In our CS curriculum, 5th-8th grade (10-14 years) students have many opportunities to plan and implement open-ended programming projects. Little research has been done to analyze the parts of the students they put into their open-ended projects. We investigated what people, places, interests, and experiences students draw from for their projects. We coded a subset of data we collected (19 plans and projects out of 234) using a modified Spheres of Influence coding scheme (Coenraad et al., 2021). The results show that students are influenced by Home and Family, Hobbies and Leisure, and Interests.

Authors

• Jennifer Tsan
  Presenting Author

• David Weintrop, University of Maryland
  Presenting Author

• Donna Eatinger, University of Chicago
  Non-Presenting Author

• Alex Pugnali, University of Maryland
  Non-Presenting Author

• Diana Franklin, University of Chicago
  Non-Presenting Author