Revitalizing the Computer Science Undergraduate Curriculum Inside and Outside of the Classroom Using Mobile Computing Platforms

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Computer Science educators are constantly reinventing introductory courses to revitalize the overall curriculum, without the requisite attention to the fundamental upper-level courses. While the focus on drawing students into Computer Science is vital to maintain the enrollment needed to supply a technically-starved workforce, it is vital to use innovative pedagogical approaches, contextualized to how students learn, throughout the curriculum ensuring that students attain the technical skills needed to succeed in industry. To address these challenges, this project has two main thrusts. First, it designs, pilots and evaluates curriculum materials for three upper-level Computer Science courses that utilize mobile computing technology to contextualize, motivate and demonstrate fundamental computing concepts on a platform students can relate to. The three courses utilize active learning pedagogical approaches that engage and encourage students to attain core computing principles while attaining the marketable technical skills associated with mobile technology. Second, it creates service-learning opportunities, out-of-classroom events and internship positions in which students can apply the mobile technology skills in an industry project and showcase their work to the larger community. The culmination of these efforts creates a synergy between instruction in and out of the classroom that balances the acquisition of fundamental computing skills and the attainment of in-demand industry technical skills.