Improving students' skills, knowledge and abilities in computer programming: a stem project
Giti Javidi, Ehsan Sheybani, Manorama Talaiver · Journal of computing sciences in colleges · 2013
This project describes findings on a three-year project to increase High School students' attitude and interest in computing careers by focusing on computer programming. Our approach involves using the mass appeal of game design and creation to introduce students to programming and computational thinking. This paper presents our observations over multiple years of teaching high school students the fundamentals of computer science and programming concepts. By leveraging students' interest in game design, we have been able to help students become excited about programming and iscovering a new passion in computing. The findings substantiate the fact that the project has been successful in increasing students' understanding of computing principles and programming associated with games, suggesting that students have positive perceptions of computing and plan to pursue STEM education through high school and college.