Targeted Infusion Project: Infusing Computational Thinking and Visual Learning into an Introductory Computer Science Course to Promote Students' Success and Retention

历史黑人学院和大学本科项目(HBCU-UP)通过有针对性的灌输项目，支持基于证据的创新模式和方法的开发、实施和研究，以改善HBCU本科学生的准备和成功，使他们能够攻读科学、技术、工程或数学(STEM)研究生课程和/或职业。摩根州立大学的这个项目寻求在每年约100名学生参加的计算机科学编程入门课程中灌输批判性思维和其他基于证据的策略。这个项目的具体目标是：将批判性思维技能与现有课程和编程技能结合起来并进行评估；在基于流程图的编程环境中教授一般问题解决技能，而不是在课程开始时使用特定的编程概念或语言；通过引入Python作为入门编程语言，更多地强调核心计算机科学原理，较少关注句法；整合视觉和交互学习；以及积极地让学生参与协作学习。期望的结果是留住更多的计算机科学专业的学生，并为他们的研究生学习和/或劳动力做好准备。

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities Undergraduate Program (HBCU-UP) through Targeted Infusion Projects supports the development, implementation, and study of evidence-based innovative models and approaches for improving the preparation and success of HBCU undergraduate students so that they may pursue science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) graduate programs and/or careers. The project at Morgan State University seeks to infuse critical thinking and other evidence-based strategies throughout the introductory computer science programming course taken annually by about 100 students. A strong plan for formative and summative evaluation is part of the project.This project has the specific goals to: integrate and evaluate critical thinking skills with the existing curriculum alongside programming skills; teach general problem-solving techniques with a flowchart-based programming environment and without using specific programming concepts or languages at the beginning of the curriculum; put greater emphasis on core computer science principles with less of a focus on syntax by introducing Python as the introductory programming language; incorporate visual and interactive learning; and actively engage students in collaborative learning. The desired outcome is to retain more students in the Computer Science major and to prepare them for graduate studies and/or the workforce.