Jim Cohoon Tag Workshop Organizers Meeting January 26, 2013 Washington, DC

1. First Course PedagogyChrestomathics Jim Cohoon Tag Workshop Organizers MeetingJanuary 26, 2013Washington, DC

2. Requirements • Effective pedagogy for diverse students with particular emphasis on female students • Effectiveness demonstrated by evaluation and / or has a foundation based on research-based practices

3. CS1X Chrestomathics • CS 1X – an introductory CS course targeted for students without prior experience • Attractive to under-represented groups • More likely to choosecomputing • Attraction comparableto demographics up to comparable levels • Students persist • Students are comparableto other CS students

4. CS 1X Chrestomathics Organized around problemsolving Uses a scaffolded, activelearning, lab-centricapproach for achievingmastery of concepts andskills Other schools have adoptedits approach

5. CS1X demographics Approximately 100 students peroffering in recent semesters Enrollments are typically 55%female, while UVA Engineeringis approximately 30% female Women’s increased percentageprovides a comfortable courseenvironment for womenwithoutstigmatizing them Both female and male students choose a CS major at aslightly higher then CS1G students

6. CS1 Workshop session Begins with interestingandoffbeat problem solving activity Course mechanics and pedagogyare then introduced. Web repositories of the materialsare made available Highlights student versus teacherinterests Mentions a statistic from a CS2 test 1 survey that students with AP computer science outperformed other students (CS1X students outperformed other CS1 students) Ends with a discussion of CS1 practicesrecommended by the attendees in preparation for the session

7. CS1 Workshop session • Attendees consistently find session useful • 76% of previous workshopparticipants stronglyagreedin post-workshopsurvey that theinformation presentedwas useful • 61% of the respondentsin a follow-up surveyindicated that they areusing or adaptingits elements in their own courses

8. Getting a taste of computational thinking

9. Problem solving

10. What’s it all about • Guided discovery • Active and collaborativelearning • Class culture of success • Encouraging pedagogy andexamples • Constant recruiting • Integrated lecture and laboratory – instructorand TAs all the time • Regular acknowledgement

11. www.cs1112.info