Cooperative learning in introductory computer science classes.
This NSF-funded project involves the development and evaluation of cooperative learning exercises for an Introductory computer science class.. The exercises involve students in specific roles to focus their attention on key concepts involved in developing and testing Java programs. To date, experimental results show that the benefits of cooperative learning outweigh any possible losses due to reduced lecture time. These benefits are enjoyed by both male and female students, ethnic-majority and minority students, and by students from a variety of majors. Importantly, the educational benefits of cooperative learning experiences continue when students take subsequent coursework in computer science. (Researchers: Alexander Chizhik (