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ABSTRACT

A recent paper in the (British) Computer Journal [1] described the "Grand Challenges" for Computing Education [1]. With student numbers falling worldwide, this certainly is a challenging period for our discipline. The paper is timely and worthwhile reading. It discusses several problems facing the discipline, but in a positive way, by attempting to identify the solutions to those problems. This column will concentrate on some of the problems/solutions from that paper that might be answered via education research.

REFERENCES

• 1: McGettrick, A, Boyle, R, Ibbett, R, Lloyd, J, Lovegrove, L, and Mander, K. (2005) Grand Challenges in Computing: Education - A Summary. The Computer Journal. The British Computer Society. Vol. 48, No. 1. pp 42--48.
• 2: Gerald E. Evans , Mark G. Simkin, What best predicts computer proficiency?, Communications of the ACM, v.32 n.11, p.1322-1327, Nov. 1989 [doi>10.1145/68814.68817]
• 3: Brenda Cantwell Wilson , Sharon Shrock, Contributing to success in an introductory computer science course: a study of twelve factors, Proceedings of the thirty-second SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer Science Education, p.184-188, February 2001, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States [doi>10.1145/364447.364581]
• 4: Wilson, B. (2002) A Study of Factors Promoting Success in Computer Science Including Gender Differences. Computer Science Education. Vol. 12, No. 1-2, pp. 141--164.
• 5: Seifert, T (2004) Understanding Student Motivation. Educational Research. Vol 46, pp 137--149.
• 6: Biggs, J, Kember, and Leung, D. (2001) The revised two-factor Study Process Questionnaire: R-SPQ-2F. British Journal of Educational Psychology. Vol. 71, pp. 133--149.
• 7: Margolis, J, and Fisher, A. (2002) Unlocking the Clubhouse: Women in Computing. MIT Press.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education

Additional Classification:
  A. General Literature
  A.m MISCELLANEOUS

  J. Computer Applications
  J.1 ADMINISTRATIVE DATA PROCESSING
      Subjects: Education

General Terms:
Documentation