ERIC Number: EJ1425037
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 33
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0899 3408
EISSN: EISSN-1744-5175
Understanding U.S. Secondary Computer Science Teachers' Challenges and Needs
Olgun Sadik; Anne Todd Ottenbreit-Leftwich
Computer Science Education, v34 n2 p252-284 2024
Background and Context: Based on issues arising around how to best prepare CS teachers and the constantly changing nature of the CS education content, curriculum, and instructional methods, it is crucial to examine the needs of secondary CS teachers. Objective: The primary purpose of this study was to identify secondary computer science (CS) teachers' needs and make recommendations for future CS education research and practices in the U.S. Method: Using a mixed-method research design, the data were collected from Computer Science Teachers Association (CSTA)'s email listserv member discussions (n = 1,706 from 482 unique members), questionnaire responses from 222 secondary CS teachers, and semi-structured interviews with eight CS teachers in the U.S. Findings: Updating curriculum resources was an important ongoing need for secondary CS teachers. Curriculum resources, materials to assess students learning, and embedding the principles of computational thinking into curriculum were reported as major needs for secondary teachers. Teachers also reported that they need to learn more about student-centered teaching strategies (e.g. problem-based learning and pair programming) and guide students' learning using scaffolding and team-management strategies. The findings suggest that teachers perceived the need for administrators', parents', and other CS teachers' support. Having an online community for teachers was critical to address their curricular and pedagogical needs. Furthermore, increasing student enrollment and interest in CS was critical for the future of CS education. Implications: The findings of this research have implications for creating professional development plans and support that can address secondary CS teachers' needs in the US.
Descriptors: Secondary School Teachers, Computer Science Education, Barriers, Needs, Science Curriculum, Teaching Methods, Educational Change, Educational Improvement, Stakeholders, Enrollment
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A