Understanding How Elementary School PSTs Integrate CS Concepts Into Their Teaching Practice

• In Event: AERA Graduate Student Research-in-Progress Roundtable Session 1
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding the Experiences of Preservice Teachers (Table 9)

Abstract

This study investigated how elementary school pre-service teachers (PSTs) integrated computer science (CS) concepts into their pedagogy. The study uses a multiple-case study approach to explore the ways that PSTs incorporate CS into lesson and unit plans. Preliminary findings showed diverse applications of CS concepts, such as using unplugged activities to teach algorithms and integrating coding into language arts lessons. This complex process highlights the need for further examination of how content knowledge from CS coursework is woven into teachers' pedagogical content knowledge. The study contributes to the understanding of CS teacher preparation programs and provides preliminary insights for supporting the development of elementary school CS teachers.

Author

• Brendan R. Henrique, University of California - Berkeley