Evaluating the effectiveness of a new instructional approach

This paper describes the evaluation of an NSF-sponsored educational research project. The primary focus of this project was to develop and evaluate a course curriculum designed to improve retention and performance for "at risk" introductory computer science majors. The results of this research suggest that the newly developed course and curriculum materials did improve students' performance and retention in computer science and their attitudes towards computer science.

[1]  Randy Pausch,et al.  Objects: visualization of behavior and state , 2003 .

[2]  Randy F. Pausch,et al.  Teaching objects-first in introductory computer science , 2003, SIGCSE.

[3]  Lily Shashaani Gender Differences in Computer Attitudes and Use among College Students , 1997 .

[4]  Randy Pausch,et al.  Using visualization to teach novices recursion , 2001 .

[5]  Randy F. Pausch,et al.  Using Animated 3D Graphics to Prepare Novices for CS1 , 2003, Comput. Sci. Educ..

[6]  Dianne Hagan,et al.  Does it help to have some programming experience before beginning a computing degree program? , 2000, ITiCSE '00.

[7]  T. Busch Gender Differences in Self-Efficacy and Attitudes toward Computers , 1995 .

[8]  Randy Pausch,et al.  Alice: a 3-D tool for introductory programming concepts , 2000 .

[9]  Joanne McGrath Cohoon,et al.  Departmental differences can point the way to improving female retention in computer science , 1999, SIGCSE '99.

[10]  Timothy S. Newman,et al.  A study of the impact of student background and preparedness on outcomes in CS I , 2001, SIGCSE '01.

[11]  Randy F. Pausch,et al.  Making the connection: programming with animated small world , 2000, ITiCSE '00.

[12]  J. R. Davy,et al.  Student well-being in a computing department , 2000, ITiCSE '00.

[13]  Randy Pausch,et al.  Learning To Program With Alice , 2004 .

[14]  S. M. Chambers,et al.  Gender-Based Factors in Computing Enrollments and Achievement: Evidence from a Study of Tertiary Students , 1989 .

[15]  Andrew S. Chirwa,et al.  Computer Attitude Scale , 1992 .