ERIC Number: EJ1388772
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2023
Pages: 33
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0899 3408
EISSN: EISSN-1744-5175
Available Date: N/A
Teaching Algorithms in Upper Secondary Education: A Study of Teachers' Pedagogical Content Knowledge
Nijenhuis-Voogt, Jacqueline; Bayram-Jacobs, Durdane; Meijer, Paulien C.; Barendsen, Erik
Computer Science Education, v33 n1 p61-93 2023
Background and Context: Computing education is expanding, while the teaching of algorithms is less well studied. Objective: The aim of this study was to examine teachers' pedagogical content knowledge (PCK) for teaching algorithms. Method: We conducted semi-structured interviews with seven computer science (CS) teachers in upper secondary education (students aged 15-18). The data were analyzed qualitatively. Findings: We found two patterns of variation in teachers' PCK. First, we detected variation in the teachers' goals related to their view of algorithms: they either focused on "thinking" about the algorithm as an object, or focused on "thinking and making", where the algorithm is also regarded as a program. Second, we found variation in teachers' knowledge about responding to differences between students, which may be generic or topic-specific. Furthermore, our findings reveal that teachers consider class discussions to play a significant role as an instructional method for provoking reflection. Implications: Our findings regarding PCK may be beneficial for the development of teacher education and professionalization activities for CS teachers.
Descriptors: Algorithms, Secondary School Teachers, Pedagogical Content Knowledge, Computer Science Education, Teaching Methods, Foreign Countries, Teacher Attitudes
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Secondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Netherlands
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A