Exploring Teachers' Experiences With the Compose and Code Platform for Teaching Computer Science to All Learners

• In Event: Integrating Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning

Abstract

This paper reports on the results of a design-based implementation research study examining how participation in the Inclusive Computer Science professional development program influences teachers’ self-efficacy for teaching computer science, especially to students with disabilities. The paper describes the components of the Inclusive Computer Science program, with special emphasis on a collaboratively-designed technology-based graphic organizer that integrates key computational thinking skills with writing instruction and scaffolds students’ coding processes in Scratch. Preliminary results show 1) the professional development model and its accompanying resources improved teachers’ teaching self-efficacy for coding and 2) the CoCo platform, specifically, increased teachers’ confidence because it illustrates the connection between coding and the writing process.

Authors

• Eileen J Manchester, George Mason University
  Presenting Author

• Brittany Miller, George Mason University
  Presenting Author

• Amy C. Hutchison, University of Alabama
  Presenting Author

• Erdogan Kaya, George Mason University
  Presenting Author

• Kelley S. Regan, George Mason University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Kristie S. Gutierrez, Old Dominion University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Anya S. Evmenova, George Mason University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jamie Colwell, Old Dominion University
  Non-Presenting Author

• Jeff Offutt, George Mason University
  Non-Presenting Author