EDSC 206 Lecture Note

WEEK 1: Review of Basic Concepts I

A. What is teaching and who is a computer science teacher?

B. What does it mean to teach computer science?

C. What is learning?

D. Teaching and learning

E. Concept and nature of computer science.

F. Why teach computer science?

G. Aims and objectives of teaching computer science in secondary

education.

BASIC CONCEPTs
What is teaching?
There is no single definition for the term teaching which is universally
accepted. Many authors defined the term according to their
understanding.
Teaching can be defined as the transmission of knowledge, skills or
affection from one person to another to bring about positive change or
changes in the behavior of the learner. Teaching can also be defined as
an interactive process involving the teacher and learner, the teacher
trying to bring out a desirable change from the learner’s behavior.
Who is a Computer Science Teacher?
Computer Science teacher is someone that inspires his student to look
beyond the pages of their textbooks to become problem solvers and
critical thinkers. To grow and develop as a computer science’s teacher,

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you need to go on reflecting about Computer science, about education
and about your place in relation to both. You must fell convinced about
the usefulness of the subject in which you teach so that you will be able
to convince your students to feel likewise so as to develop a keen
interest in the subject. Teacher must explain to his students the need for
inclusion of his subject in their curriculum.
What does it mean to teach Computer Science?
Computer Science teaching is a challenging adventure it requires an
understanding of the subject matter as well as teaching approach to
each specific content area. Most people agree that first requirement to
be successful in teaching computer science is to know computer science
content and approach. In computer science teaching, from the start, the
teacher approach in his classroom must be based on two inter-woven
objectives.
1. The need to pass on the student body of computer science knowledge
and skills.
2. The need to develop as far as possible the ability of each student to
think for him / herself in acquiring and using the knowledge.
Link to these two objectives is the need to remember how a student
builds up a computer science idea or fact.
What is learning?
Learning is seen as involving internal process of construction in which
children attempt to resolve personal conflict or difference between their
existing way of thinking and the aspect of their experience that are new.
Although individual’s personal construction is central, interacting with
others creates opportunities in which learning occur.

Learning is “a process that leads to change, which occurs as a result of

experience and increases the potential for improved performance and

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future learning” (Ambrose et al, 2010, p.3). The change in the learner
may happen at the level of knowledge, attitude or behavior. As a result
of learning, learners come to see concepts, ideas, and/or the world
differently.
Learning is not something done to students, but rather something
students themselves do. It is the direct result of how students interpret
and respond to their experiences.

While there are disciplinary differences in what students learn, it is

important to keep in mind that learning content or information constitutes
only one part of learning in university courses. Regardless of the field of
study, students need to have significant opportunities to develop and
practice intellectual skills/thinking processes (e.g., problem-solving,
scientific inquiry), motor skills and attitudes/values that are important to
their fields of study. In addition, students need opportunities to develop
interpersonal and social skills (often referred to as soft skills) that are
important for professional and personal success. Examples of these
skills include teamwork, effective communication, conflict resolution and
creative thinking. As teaching assistants and instructors, we need to
keep in mind that there is much more to learning than content and that
we should pay attention not only to the content but also to thinking
processes and other types of learning.

Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning are two concepts that can never be divorced,
meaning they can not be separated. One cannot talk of teaching without
mentioning of learning. However, no single definition of the concept
learning is universally accepted but there is general consensus that
learning means modification of behaviour as a function of practice. Thus,

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it takes place when the performance of organism is changed through
stimulating contacts with the environment. All the basic elements of
curriculum are designed around the learner and all these interact to
achieve all round development of the learner.
Concept and Nature of Computer Science
Computer science is the study of computers and computing, including
their theoretical and algorithmic foundations, hardware and software,
and their uses for processing information. The discipline of computer
science includes the study of algorithms and data structures, computer
and network design, modeling data and information processes, and
artificial intelligence. Computer science draws some of its foundations
from mathematics and engineering and therefore incorporates
techniques from areas such as queueing theory, probability and
statistics, and electronic circuit design. Computer science also makes
heavy use of hypothesis testing and experimentation during the
conceptualization, design, measurement, and refinement of new
algorithms, information structures, and computer architectures.
Computer science is considered as part of a family of five separate yet
interrelated disciplines: computer engineering, computer science,
information systems, information technology, and software engineering.
This family has come to be known collectively as the discipline of
computing. These five disciplines are interrelated in the sense that
computing is their object of study, but they are separate since each has
its own research perspective and curricular focus.

The major subfields of computer science include the traditional study of

computer architecture, programming languages, and software
development. However, they also include computational science (the
use of algorithmic techniques for modeling scientific data), graphics and

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visualization, human-computer interaction, databases and information
systems, networks, and the social and professional issues that are
unique to the practice of computer science. As may be evident, some of
these subfields overlap in their activities with other modern fields, such
as bioinformatics and computational chemistry. These overlaps are the
consequence of a tendency among computer scientists to recognize and
act upon their field’s many interdisciplinary connections.
Some of the professionals in the field of computer science are:
 Computer Educator
 System Analyst
 Database Administrator (DBA)
 Network Engineer
 Programmer/Web designer
 Computer Engineer

Why Teach Computer Science?

Why Teach Computer Science at the Secondary School Level?
Education leaders want to ensure curriculum is preparing students with
the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in the workforce or
college. As education policymakers make tough decisions about which
subjects will meet the needs of citizens and industry in the 21st Century,
they want to know how a subject might make their students successful.
Teaching computer science in secondary school meets students’ needs
in three ways:
• Students gain a deeper knowledge of the fundamentals of
computing, which is a critical foundational knowledge that will
serve them well throughout their lives.

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 • Students are exposed to a field that drives innovation and in which
job prospects remain strong despite the current extraordinary
economic challenges.
• Students gain critical knowledge and skills proven to bolster their
success in higher education academic pursuits.

Computer science education is strongly based upon the higher tiers of

Bloom’s cognitive taxonomy, as it involves design, creativity, problem
solving, analyzing a variety of possible solutions to a problem,
collaboration, and presentation skills. Through studying computer
science, students develop and extend logical thinking and problem-
solving skills. These skills can then be applied to real world problems.
Furthermore, students who take on high school computing classes and
have previous experience with technology demonstrate improved
readiness for post-secondary studies.
Computer science underpins the technology sector, which has made
tremendous contributions to the domestic economy, as well as
numerous other economic sectors that depend on innovative, highly
skilled computer science graduates. Computing touches everyone’s daily
lives. Securing our cyber- infrastructure, protecting national security, and
making our energy infrastructure more efficient are among numerous
issues dependent on computing, computing literacy and a strong
computing workforce.

We consider it critical that students be able to read and write, and

understand the fundamentals of mathematics, biology, chemistry and
physics. To be a well-educated citizen in today’s computing- intensive
world, students must have a deeper understanding of the fundamentals

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of computing as well. It is crucial that public education take on this
charge.

The most important aspect of computer science is problem solving, an

essential skill for life. Students study the design, development and
analysis of software and hardware used to solve problems in a variety of
business, scientific and social contexts. Because computers solve
problems to serve people, there is a significant human side to computer
science as well. The following are some of the reasons of studying
computer science in schools.

1. Computing is part of everything we do!

2. Expertise in computing enables you to solve complex, challenging
problems.
3. Computing enables you to make a positive difference in the world.

4. Computing offers many types of lucrative careers.

5. Computing jobs are here to stay, regardless of where you are
located.
6. Expertise in computing helps even if your primary career is
something else.
7. Computing offers great opportunities for true creativity and
innovativeness.
8. Computing is an essential part of well-rounded academic
preparation.
9. Future opportunities in computing are without boundaries

1. Computing is Part of Everything we do

Computing and computer technology are part of just about

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 everything that touches our lives from the cars we drive, to the
movies we watch, to the ways businesses and governments deal
with us. Understanding different dimensions of computing is part of
the necessary skill set for an educated person in the 21st century.
Whether you want to be a scientist, develop the latest killer
application, or just know what it really means when someone says
'the computer made a mistake', studying computing will provide
you with valuable knowledge.
2. Expertise in computing enables you to solve complex,
challenging problems.
Computing is a discipline that offers rewarding and challenging
possibilities for a wide range of people regardless of their range of
interests. Computing requires and develops capabilities in solving
deep, multidimensional problems requiring imagination and
sensitivity to a variety of concerns.

3. Computing enables you to make a positive difference in the

world.
Computing drives innovation in the sciences (human genome
project, AIDS vaccine research, environmental monitoring and
protection just to mention a few), and also in engineering,
business, entertainment and education. If you want to make a
positive difference in the world, study computing.

4. Computing offers many types of lucrative careers.

Machinery: "Computing jobs are among the highest paid and have
the highest job satisfaction. Computing is very often associated
with innovation, and developments in computing tend to drive it.
This, in turn, is the key to national competitiveness. The

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 possibilities for future developments are expected to be even
greater than they have been in the past."
5. Computing jobs are here to stay, regardless of where you are
located.
There actually are more computing jobs than qualified people to fill
them in the world. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says computing
has the greatest potential for new jobs through 2014. Yes, some IT
jobs have gone overseas. If you consider the expected growth in
computing, it's easy to see that companies simply need more
talent. Don't miss out on pursuing the large number of open
positions available right now.
6. Expertise in computing helps even if your primary career is
something else.
To be well educated citizen in today’s computing intensive world,
students must have a deeper understanding of the fundamentals
of computing as well.it is crucial that education take on this stage.
7. Computing offers great opportunities for true creativity and
innovativeness.
Creating high-quality computing solutions is a highly creative
activity, and computing supports creative work in many other
fields. The best solutions in computing exhibit high levels of
elegance and beauty.
8. Computing is an essential part of well-rounded academic
preparation.
An increasing number of universities and employers see
successful completion of a computer science course as a sign of
academic well-roundedness.

9. Future opportunities in computing are without boundaries.

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 Computing is one of those fields where it is almost impossible to
predict what will happen next. This is why we cannot even begin to
imagine all the ways that you can make a contribution to it and it
can make your life's work exciting and real.

AIM AND OBJECTIVES OF TEACHING COMPUTER SCIENCE

The purpose of computer science teaching in school is to enable student
to grasp the basic knowledge needed from further study of computer
science and the related technology and to understand its application.
Also, it should help the learners acquire the skill of practical utility,
develop the capacity to think further and apply those skills is the real-life
situations.

As the technology makes the world shrunk day by day, it is essential that
the students are made to be aware of the modernization, along social
lives, of industry, agriculture, national defence, national and international
affairs. No
field in the world at present can claim to be free of technological touch;
and with technology, can achieve to any height.
Computer science in school subjects should be considered as
I. A body of knowledge
2. An attitude towards life, thinking and growing
3. A tool for the work of man
To help the students attain the above qualities, the quantity of the
content, the course subject matter must have certain qualities.

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AIM OF TEACIING COMPUTER SCIENCE
The teaching of computer science should aim to
 Provide the fundamental knowledge to the students.
 Make the students understand the relevant knowledge and
skills in computer science.
 Develop in them the skill of thinking and analyzing
 Inculcate proficiency in reasoning and synthesizing
 Create interest and scientific attitudes.
 Induce in them the thirst for acquiring knowledge.
 Develop communicative skills and soft skills.
 Identify their emotional intelligence
 Equip them with the skill of using computers.
 Help the students apply the knowledge in learning activities.
 Help the students attain thinking process.
 Make the students associate the knowledge in real time
application.
 Imbibe in the students the skill of acquiring knowledge, create
knowledge and share their expertise.
 Dig out the latent talents in the students.
 Make the student attain the skills of initiatives.
 Develop in the students be collaborative, inquiry and
coordination capabilities.
 Build team spirit
 Train the students understand and identify the problems and
issues direct or indirect and analyze them, code and decode for
the computer processing.
 Help the students attain the skill of problem solving.
 Help them posses the ability for local and global accessing of
information.

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  Provide them vocational skills
 Provide self concept, sense of acceptance and sharing qualities
 Inculcate citizenship and love for the society and Nation
 Promote local and global understanding.

The objectives of teaching computer science in schools are as

follows:
Objectives are the specific and precise behavioural outcome of teaching
a topic. The main objectives of teaching computer science must ensure
better match between the industry's requirement and outputs of the
education sector emphasizing the quality needs. The teaching of
computers should make phenomenal effects on the learners. It is
complex in nature. Hence teacher, the facilitator must imbibe in the
students the initiatives, inquiry, analytic and comprehensive abilities.
Knowledge acquisition, adaptation, and utility are the prime slogans of
the present learning society. Hence learning computers from the school
is the need of the hour. Whole human processes can be divided in three
levels as follows:

Activities related to Cognitive Domain

head
Activities related to Affective Domain
heart
Activities related to Psycho-Motor
hand Domain
On the basis of these three Domains, B.S. Bloom and his associates
divided educational objectives and there were six objectives for each
domain.

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 Cognitive Affective Psycho-motor
Domain Domain Domain
1. Knowledge 1. Receiving 1. Impulsion
2. Understanding 2. Responding 2.Manipulation
3. Application 3. Valuing 3. Control
4. Analysis 4. Conceptualization 4. Co-ordination
5. Synthesis 5. Organisation 5. Naturalisation
6. Evaluation 6. Characterisation 6. Habit Formation

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