Research in Computer Science Education

Abstract

Computer science education research refers to students' difficulties, misconceptions, and cognitive abilities, activities that can be integrated in the learning process, usage of visualization and animations tools, the computer science teachers' role, difficulties and professional development, and many more topics. This meaningful shared knowledge of the computer science education community can enrich the prospective of computer science teachers' professional development. The chapter exposes the MTCS students to this rich resource and let them practice ways in which they can use it in their future work. This knowledge may enhance lesson preparation, kind of activities developed for learners, awareness to learners' difficulties, ways to improve concept understanding, and testing and grading learners' projects and tests. We first explain the importance of exposing the students to the knowledge gained by the computer science education research community. Then, we demonstrate different topics addressed in such research works and suggest activities to facilitate in the MTCS course with respect to this research.