Teaching Computational Thinking through Multi-Agent Simulation: Increasing Recruitment, Retention, and Relevance of Undergraduate Computer Science

学习计算机科学和计算思维的学生人数一直在以惊人的速度下降。 需要新的方法来吸引学生。 该项目正在开发一个介绍性课程，在广泛的背景下介绍计算思维。 来自生物学和经济学等学科的现实问题被用来显示相关性。 该方法强调使用NetLogo编程语言的多智能体仿真。 多智能体计算机仿真是基于众多智能体之间以及与环境之间的交互。 例如，将个人消费者作为交互主体来模拟复杂的经济系统。虽然该课程是为科学和经济学专业设计的计算思维入门课程，但该项目正在研究如何将该课程用作计算机科学专业的CS1课程。 评估计划包括衡量学生的学习以及监测新学生的招聘计算。 预期成果包括课程材料和教师培训材料。 结果将在区域和国家计算机科学教育会议上传播。

The number of students studying computer science and computational thinking has been declining at an alarming rate. New approaches to attract students are needed. This project is developing an introductory course that presents computational thinking in a broad context. Realistic problems from disciplines such as biology and economics are used to show relevance. The approach emphasizes multi-agent simulation using the NetLogo programming language. Multi-agent computer simulation is based on the interactions of numerous intelligent agents with each other and with an environment. For example, individual consumers are represented as interacting agents to model a complex economic system.Although the course is designed as an introduction to computational thinking for science and economics majors, the project is investigating how the course can be used as an alternative CS1 course for computer science majors. Assessment plans include measuring student learning as well as monitoring recruitment of new students to computing. Expected outcomes include course materials and faculty training materials. Results will be disseminated at regional and national computer science education conferences.