Background: This paper describes research into two pedagogical approaches to foster transdisciplinarity in a graduate engineering course that involves education and computer science. Leveraging the Communities of Practice framework, we examine how students majoring in computer science can integrate new knowledge from education and computer science…

The importance of student engagement is long recognised. Students who are more engaged will be more motivated and inclined to complete their studies. The aim of this study is to understand barriers to engagement for first-year computing students, a cohort that traditionally have high non-progression rates. A qualitative descriptive design was…

This study explores the impact of three alternative grading systems--specifications grading, standards-based grading (SBG), and ungrading--on student motivation, engagement, stress, enjoyment, and perceptions of fairness. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were conducted with students from mathematics, computer science, and statistics courses.…

Gamification mechanisms have been increasingly integrated into educational environments to enhance learner's engagement and improve the effectiveness of online courses. However, the precise effects of gamification on learner's engagement, including the factors that influence this behavior, remain under-explored. This study addresses this gap by…

Advances in information and communication technologies (ICT) coupled with artificial intelligence have made computer programming skills indispensable for IT majors and for an increasing number of other science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Like any hands-on skill, mastering computer programming requires dedicated…

This study aimed to examine the impact of the flipped classroom model applied in the information technologies courses on pre-service teachers' candidates' academic achievements, self-regulated learning skills, and classroom engagement. The research was conducted with a total of 96 pre-service teachers teacher candidates, 48 in the experimental…

Background: Many studies have highlighted the positive effects of visual programming instruction (VPI) on students' learning experiences, programming self-efficacy and flow experience. However, there is a notable gap in the research on how these factors specifically impact programming achievement and learning intentions. Our study addresses this…

Modern software companies prioritize high-quality products for competitiveness, and Software Process Improvement (SPI) models help achieve this. In Brazil, the Brazilian Software Process Improvement Model ("MPS-SW" model) is widely used, but its complexity and extensive documentation make it challenging to teach in undergraduate courses.…

Code.org is a leading non-profit organization providing professional learning (PL) for K-12 teachers across the United States to advance computer science (CS) education. While PL is known to improve teaching practices and student outcomes in general education, CS, and gifted education, limited research has specifically examined how CS-focused PL…

This paper explores the experiences and learning outcomes of preservice elementary teachers (PSTs) as they integrate computational thinking (CT) into their teaching practices during a structured field experience. Through a qualitative content analysis of video reflections from 27 PSTs, the study examines how teaching CT lessons to K-2 students…

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly exploited to promote student engagement. This study combined topic modelling, keyword analysis, trend test and systematic analysis methodologies to analyse AI-supported student engagement (AIsE) studies regarding research keywords and topics, AI roles, AI systems and algorithms, methods and domains,…

Recent advancements in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) have drawn significant attention from educators and researchers. However, its effects on learners' programming performance, self-efficacy and learning processes remain inconclusive, while the mechanisms underlying its efficiency-enhancing potential are underexplored. This study…

Secondary school students (N = 269) participated in a daylong visual programming course held in a stimulating environment for start-up enterprises. The tasks were application-oriented and partly creative. For example, a wearable device with light-emitting diodes, (ie, LEDs) could be applied to a T-shirt and used for optical messages. Our research…

Gamification has emerged as a promising strategy to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes in computer science education. This study uses Wenger's Value Creation Framework to evaluate and design the gamification elements in the "Answers" platform, a Professional Learning Network (PLN) developed at TU Delft. Using a…

This study seeks to deepen the understanding of the direct and indirect effects of human-computer dialogic interaction programming activities, facilitated by ChatGPT, on student engagement. Data were collected from 109 Chinese high school students who engaged in programming tasks using either ChatGPT-driven dialogic interaction or traditional pair…