ERIC Number: EJ944816
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2011-Jul
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1946-6226
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Exploring Computer Science: A Case Study of School Reform
Goode, Joanna; Margolis, Jane
ACM Transactions on Computing Education, v11 n2 Article 12 Jul 2011
This article will detail efforts to broaden participation in computing in urban schools through a comprehensive reform effort of curricular development, teacher professional development, and policy changes. Beginning with an account of the curricular development of "Exploring Computer Science", we will describe the inquiry-based research that underlies these learning materials. Next, we argue that accompanying professional development that supports the curriculum is essential for supporting this inquiry-based approach to computer science instruction. We then explain the policy strategies used to designate this course as a college-preparatory elective and place it in 17 Los Angeles high schools. Finally, we share the initial results of how students experience this course and ongoing challenges encountered when working in the public school system. The article concludes with a discussion of how longitudinal reform effort requires a strong foundation and deep roots to successfully democratize computer science education. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Computer Science Education, Urban Schools, Educational Change, Case Studies, Curriculum Development, Faculty Development, Secondary School Teachers, Educational Policy, High Schools, Inquiry, Active Learning, College School Cooperation, Instructional Effectiveness
Association for Computing Machinery. 2 Penn Plaza Suite 701, New York, NY 10121. Tel: 800-342-6626; Tel: 212-626-0500; Fax: 212-944-1318; e-mail: acmhelp@acm.org; Web site: http://www.acm.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Elementary Secondary Education; High Schools; Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A