Computer Science Education

Computer science education is an interdisciplinary field of research that leverages advances in theories and methods from education, psychology, computer science, and engineering. Computing science drives innovation throughout the Canadian economy and has become one of the most popular majors in higher education. In this modern age of education, K-12 students learn computational thinking by programming robots, using data to tackle real-world problems, and interacting with rich multimedia content and intelligent instructional systems.

Researchers and instructors in the Computer Science Education cluster develop, implement, and evaluate innovative teaching solutions and effective tools to support instruction in collaboration with other research clusters in the Faculty of Computer Science.

We conduct empirical research in areas including:

• Theories of learning introductory programming and computational thinking skills
• Instructional methods for enhancing learning in computing subject areas, such as programming, machine learning, or computer security
• Data mining and analytic approaches to improve teaching and learning
• Underrepresented student experiences in computing programs
• Innovative use of instructional systems and technologies
• Theory-driven designs and evidence-based practices in introductory computer science courses, such as pair programming, peer instruction, and visual representations

The Faculty of Computer Science at Dalhousie is a leader in preparing tomorrow’s computing professionals and scientists. The Computer Science Education cluster moves beyond disciplinary boundaries by building a community to promote excellence in educational research and practice as well as community outreach and engagement.