Cooperative Learning Methods for Java-Based CS1 Courses

计算机科学（31）该项目正在开发一种更有效的方法来教授计算机编程入门课程（CS1），方法是在以前的CCLI概念验证项目的基础上创建一套用于课程的合作学习材料。正在各种类型的机构评估这些材料在改善学生学习方面的效果，为具有不同背景和职业目标的学生服务。该项目还通过研究在计算机科学课程中使用合作学习的方法来增加教育研究基础。智力优势合作学习并不是一个新的想法，但以前在计算机科学方面的努力并没有充分利用合作学习的一个关键因素：为小组成员分配特定的概念相关和过程相关的角色。这个项目使用更多的结构化练习，并更多地使用角色。该项目还建立在配对编程方法的成功基础上，这是另一种协作学习技术。它通过引导学生通过不同层次的合作来推广这种方法：从纯粹的小组工作，到与各种互动水平的配对工作，再到有小组支持的个人工作。更广泛的影响来自先前的概念验证研究的结果强烈表明，合作学习导致更高的学生成绩和更低的损耗，合作学习似乎对妇女和其他代表性不足的群体也特别有益。因此，合作学习方法在计算机科学中的应用，预计将提高学生的表现，减少减员，并有助于缓解妇女和少数民族学生在计算机科学专业的代表性不足。

Computer Science (31)This project is developing a more effective way of teaching the introductory computer programming course (CS1) by creating a set of cooperative learning materials for use in the course, building on a previous CCLI proof-of-concept project. The effectiveness of the materials in improving student learning is being evaluated at a variety of types of institutions, serving students with diverse backgrounds and career goals. The project is also adding to the educational research base by studying ways of using cooperative learning in Computer Science courses.Intellectual meritCooperative learning is not a new idea, but previous efforts in computer science have not taken full advantage of a key element in cooperative learning: assigning specific concept-related and process-related roles to group members. This project uses more structured exercises and making greater use of roles. The project also builds on the successes of the pair programming approach, another collaborative learning technique. It generalizes this approach by leading students through different levels of cooperation: from pure group work, to working in pairs with various levels of interaction, to individual work with group support.Broader impactsThe results from a prior proof-of-concept study strongly indicate that cooperative learning leads to higher student performance and lower attrition, and cooperative learning also seems especially beneficial for women and other underrepresented groups. Thus, the application of cooperative learning methods in Computer Science is expected to increase student performance, reduce attrition, and help alleviate the under-representation of women and minority students in the Computer Science major.