Culturally Relevant Computer Science Education for Historically Underrepresented Students: A Research-Practice Partnership With a School District

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: Understanding Elements of PDS: Shared Resources, Professional Learning Communities, and Culturally Relevant Computer Science Education

Abstract

A large number of elementary students in Alabama come from groups historically underrepresented in computer science (CS) education. In addition, most elementary teachers lack expertise in equitable CS education. To address the problem, we, a program at a public university in Southeastern U.S., is establishing a research-practice partnership (RPP) with a school district in Alabama that primarily serves those historically underrepresented in CS fields. The goals of the RPP are to (1) promote district teachers’ knowledge and skills in teaching CS using culturally-relevant pedagogies through professional development and (2) provide sustaining support for classroom implementation. As this is an ongoing project, this paper described our initial steps taken to establish the RPP and preliminary accomplishments.

Authors

• Feiya Luo, The University of Alabama

• Amanda Walker

• André R. Denham, The University of Alabama

• John Walker