Computing Reviews
Today's Issue Hot Topics Search Browse Recommended My Account Log In
Review Help
Search
Identifying important and difficult concepts in introductory computing courses using a Delphi process
Goldman K., Gross P., Heeren C., Herman G., Kaczmarczyk L., Loui M., Zilles C. ACM SIGCSE Bulletin40 (1):256-260,2008.Type:Article
Date Reviewed: Sep 25 2008

A concept inventory (CI) is a measurement tool designed to evaluate student understanding of a particular topic or field. This paper discusses research in computer science (CS) education targeted at the formulation of a CI for 10 to 15 of the most important topics in introductory courses in each of three CS instructional domains: discrete math, programming fundamentals, and logic design. The authors point to the use of a methodically developed CI in a pre-test and a post-test as an effective tool for measuring student knowledge gain.

Inspired by a similar effort that was claimed to have revolutionized the teaching of introductory physics, the authors carried out methodical and controlled research in CI identification as the first of a four-step process designed to aid in the development of good assessment tools for computer science education. There should be no argument that the development of a measured consensus among experts as to the important and difficult concepts in any course domain is a key element in developing curricula and pedagogic approaches that work within that domain.

The problem lies not with the quality of, nor the assumptions underlying, the research reported on in this paper. The goal of this research, however, should be to improve student knowledge gain and retention. The four steps outlined in this research place far too great an emphasis on the CI, and far too little on student retention. If there is a link between retention and such a painstaking identification of a CI, this case needs to be demonstrated. I am skeptical.

Reviewer:  F. L. Friedman Review #: CR136099 (0908-0787)
Bookmark and Share
 
Computer Science Education (K.3.2 ... )
 
Would you recommend this review?
yes
no
Other reviews under "Computer Science Education": Date
Pascal
Meyers R., Prentice-Hall, Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1992. Type: Book (9780137256235)
Oct 1 1992
Software engineering education: the educational needs of the software community
Fairley R., Gibbs N.  Software engineering education: the educational needs of the software community,Carnegie-Mellon Univ. Software Engineering Institute, Pittsburgh, PA,1987. Type: Whole Proceedings
Aug 1 1988
Fundamentals of computing I
Tucker A., Bradley W., Cupper R., Garnick D., McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, NY, 1992. Type: Book (9780070654495)
Feb 1 1993
more...

E-Mail This Printer-Friendly
Send Your Comments
Contact Us
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.   Copyright 1999-2024 ThinkLoud®
Terms of Use
| Privacy Policy