Factors affecting the adoption of peer instruction in computing courses

Dennis Bouvier, Ellie Lovellette, John Matta, Jing Bai, Jacqueline Chetty, Stan Kurkovsky, Jia Wan

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

1 Citation (Scopus)

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 languageEnglish
Title of host publicationCompEd-WGR 2019 - Proceedings of the Working Group Reports on Global Computing Education
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
Pages1-25
Number of pages25
ISBN (Electronic)9781450370868
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Dec 2019
Event2019 Working Group Reports on ACM Global Computing Education, CompEd-WGR 2019 - Chengdu, China
Duration: 17 May 201919 May 2019

Publication series

NameCompEd-WGR 2019 - Proceedings of the Working Group Reports on Global Computing Education

Conference

Conference2019 Working Group Reports on ACM Global Computing Education, CompEd-WGR 2019
Country/TerritoryChina
CityChengdu
Period17/05/1919/05/19

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

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