It is not easy to give a sense of Computing being used to help others during some of the earlier topics such as base numbers and logic , but the inclusion of two lectures on big data allowed for the presentation of case studies showing Computer Science in action , such as helping to prevent influenza outbreaks and combat online extremism . Results
Tables 2 , 3 and 4 show how the mean mark for each assessment changed , and in each case there is a clear improvement . Indeed , in all but one case , the increase was equivalent to one or even two grade boundaries . Table 5 , meanwhile , demonstrates the significance of these changes , with particularly low P values seen for the Range of Hardware and Software Tasks and Program Design assignment . It should also be noted that this change comes in the face of rapidly increasing Foundation Year student numbers and decreasing UCAS tariffs ( 88 UCAS points in 2015 compared to 64 UCAS points in 2018 ). Collectively , the data show that the changes to the module improved student learning quantitatively .
Given some of the negative student feedback that the programming side of the module had previously received , it should be noted that in the last two academic years , not a single respondent has selected the ‘ dissatisfied ’ or ‘ totally dissatisfied ’ options for any part of the module2 .
This critical reflection examined FYO-00096 and identified some positive aspects a number of areas for improvement . It was then shown how these areas were remodelled while the positive aspects were retained . A brief look at the module results showed that these changes made a significant difference to student performance in the face of increasing cohort sizes with lower entry requirements .
Despite this , there is still room to continue developing the module . One interesting possibility would be to take a flipped classroom approach to the programming labs ( Lage , Platt and Treglia , 2000 ). By studying the lecture notes at home , the students would maximise the time spent applying them in the labs . For the theory side , further resources will be developed for learning outside of lectures . While recent research indicates that conventional lecture capture may have a detrimental effect on studies ( Edwards and Clinton , 2019 ; Lyon , 2018 ), five minute video summaries of the key points from lectures should provide support without discouraging attendance . Conventional problem sheets will be replaced with homework , focusing problem classes on troubleshooting .
A repeated theme in the literature surrounding female Computer Science students is that classes should strive to include a greater emphasis on collaboration and helping others . With this in mind , the 2019 / 20 academic year will see the introduction of a Foundation Year Computer Science module based around collaborative design under the instruction of a client . Summary and Future Work
References
Beyer , S ., 2017 . Women in Computer Science :
Deterrents . In : Laplante , P . A . Encyclopedia of Computer Science and Technology Volume II . 2nd ed . Boca Raton : CRC Press . Boca Raton .
Beyer , S ., Rynes , K . and Haller , S ., 2004 . Deterrents to women taking computer science courses . IEEE Technology and Society Magazine , 23 ( 1 ), pp . 21 – 28 . ISSN : 0278-0097 .
https :// doi . org / 10.1109 / MTAS . 2004.1273468 .
Beyer , S ., Rynes , K ., Perrault , J ., Hay , K . and Haller , S ., 2003 . Gender Differences in Computer Science Students . In : Proceedings of the 34th SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education . SIGCSE ’ 03 . Reno , Navada , USA : ACM , pp . 49 – 53 . ISBN : 1-58113-648-X .
Biggs , J ., 1996 . Enhancing teaching through constructive alignment . Higher Education , 32 ( 3 ), pp . 347 – 364 . ISSN : 1573-174X .
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