Tips and Tricks for Changing the Way Young People Conceive Computer Science

Cécile Lombart, Anne Smal, Julie Henry

Research output: Contribution in Book/Catalog/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Many youths have an incomplete perception of what computer science is, which leads to a lack of interest in studies on information and communication technologies. However, there is a large gap to be filled in terms of jobs in this field. It is therefore important to make young people aware of what computer science is about and of the jobs associated with it, specifically at this age as they do not yet have a precise vision of their future career. To meet this challenge, workshops have been organized to expose 12 to 15-year-olds to the basic concepts of computer science and its subfields, such as programming, robotics, computer networking, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity. Over three years, data were collected to measure the influence of hands-on workshops conducted in the classroom on young people’s conceptions. The workshops offered an introduction to a field of computer science poorly understood by most young people. Analysis of the data collected from more than 200 pupils across six different schools shows the important role played by both the themes addressed and the teacher’s discourse. In particular, comparisons with workshops conducted by experts highlight the problem of the lack of teacher training.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInformatics in Schools
Subtitle of host publicationEngaging Learners in Computational Thinking - 13th International Conference, ISSEP 2020, Proceedings
EditorsKülli Kori, Mart Laanpere
PublisherSpringer Science and Business Media Deutschland GmbH
Pages79-93
Number of pages15
ISBN (Print)9783030632113
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020
Event13th International Conference on Informatics in Schools: Situation, Evolution and Perspectives, ISSEP 2020 - Tallinn, Estonia
Duration: 23 Sept 202025 Sept 2020

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics)
Volume12518 LNCS
ISSN (Print)0302-9743
ISSN (Electronic)1611-3349

Conference

Conference13th International Conference on Informatics in Schools: Situation, Evolution and Perspectives, ISSEP 2020
Country/TerritoryEstonia
CityTallinn
Period23/09/2025/09/20

Keywords

  • Computer science education
  • Didactic
  • K12
  • Workshops

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