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A framework identifying challenges & solutions for high school computing

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Abstract

A global concern in recent years has been the formal incorporation of computing and digital technology subjects into high school curricula. Despite many initiatives to make these subjects accessible to students, significant barriers to uptake remain in many countries. In this study we convened a panel of 32 academic, research, and other experts from several countries, to participate in a three round Delphi study with the goal of identifying ways to improve student participation for high school computer science and programming subjects in New Zealand. The study explored barriers and challenges, potential solutions and future scenarios, as well as implementation ideas for the most important solutions across five domains: Computer Science and Programming Standards, Resources, Support, Assessment, and Student-centred factors. Together these three Delphi rounds were synthesized into a framework summarizing challenges and potential solutions, including suggestions relating to the implementation of those solutions, alongside key aspects of a likely and a desirable future scenario regarding high school computing in New Zealand. The framework, which is the major result of this study, was designed with the intention to summarise and present potential ways to increase student participation and engagement for computer science and programming standards. We hope that this framework will be of interest to government, teachers, schools, industry, universities and other key stakeholders.

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Data availability

The datasets analysed during this study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Notes

  1. https://www.csfieldguide.org.nz/en/

  2. https://www.brinknews.com/how-one-university-is-attracting-women-to-computer-science/

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the experts (researchers, teachers, lecturers, other and all) who participated voluntarily in this Delphi study for their invaluable input and insightful comments. We really appreciate the time, effort and continuity which was required for this type of study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Information Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Chamindi Kavindya Samarasekara & Claudia Ott

  2. Department of Computer Science, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Anthony Robins

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  1. Chamindi Kavindya Samarasekara
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  2. Claudia Ott
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  3. Anthony Robins
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Correspondence to Chamindi Kavindya Samarasekara.

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Samarasekara, C.K., Ott, C. & Robins, A. A framework identifying challenges & solutions for high school computing. Educ Inf Technol (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-023-12329-9

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