Enhancing a Problem-Centered Approach With Professional-Level Design and Implementation Expectations Improves Self-Efficacy.

• In Event: Curriculum Development Across the Professions

Abstract

Enhancing self-efficacy is an important part of professional preparation. Self-efficacy refers to an individual’s level of confidence regarding their ability to organize and implement actions needed to perform effectively. As students successfully complete tasks, they develop a more positive self-appraisal of their capability. Students’ beliefs about their capabilities are good predictors of their achievement and subsequent professional choices and decisions. For this study we used a quantitative, nonexperimental, single-group research design to examine how Computer Science students’ self-efficacy changed as a result of participating in professional-grade problem-centered learning projects throughout an undergraduate compiler design course. In this session we will present our research findings, and share our recommendations for professional preparation undergraduate program design and our future research plans.

Authors

• Todd A Gibson, California State University - Chico

• Joanna C. Dunlap, University of Colorado - Denver