Abstract
Peer Instruction (PI) as defined by Mazur, and variations on this pedagogic technique, have been in use in computing courses for about a decade. Despite dozens of educational research publications documenting positive learning effects, improved retention, student acceptance, and effectiveness for large classes; PI does not appear to be widely adopted for computing courses. This paper reports on a three-way investigation into this apparent contradiction. First, the authors reflect on their own adoption, practice, experience, and abandonment of the use of PI in computing courses. Second, we surveyed the literature regarding the use of PI in computing courses and present a summary of the research findings, variations, and extensions to PI used in computing courses. Third, a survey of computing instructors was conducted to gauge the attitude toward PI in computing courses. To add context, this report considers publications documenting usage of PI in STEM courses, and the adoption of other pedagogic techniques in computing. Particular effort was made to identify the reasons computing instructors don't adopt PI. This report also includes advice to instructors considering adopting PI in computing courses.
Original language | English |
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Title of host publication | CompEd-WGR 2019 - Proceedings of the Working Group Reports on Global Computing Education |
Publisher | Association for Computing Machinery |
Pages | 1-25 |
Number of pages | 25 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9781450370868 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 18 Dec 2019 |
Event | 2019 Working Group Reports on ACM Global Computing Education, CompEd-WGR 2019 - Chengdu, China Duration: 17 May 2019 → 19 May 2019 |
Publication series
Name | CompEd-WGR 2019 - Proceedings of the Working Group Reports on Global Computing Education |
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Conference
Conference | 2019 Working Group Reports on ACM Global Computing Education, CompEd-WGR 2019 |
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Country/Territory | China |
City | Chengdu |
Period | 17/05/19 → 19/05/19 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:“Team Panda” would like to thank the CompEd conference organizers for hosting Working Groups; and to the on-site conference staff who facilitated our work. We also acknowledge the USA National Science Foundation for providing travel support to some attendees. Thanks are also due to the reviewers of the draft report, who served to improve this paper.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2019 Association for Computing Machinery.
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Education
- Peer Instruction
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Computer Science (miscellaneous)
- Education