TY - GEN
T1 - A computational introduction to STEM studies
AU - Freudenthal, Eric
AU - Ogrey, Alexandria N.
AU - Roy, Mary K.
AU - Siegel, Alan
PY - 2010
Y1 - 2010
N2 - We report on the content and early evaluation of a new introductory programming course "Media Propelled Computational Thinking," (abbreviated MPCT and pronounced IMPaCT). MPCT is integrated into a freshmanlevel program designed for under-prepared students with interests in a STEM discipline. It is intended to reduce attrition rates by fostering student intuition in, appreciation of, and confidence about basic pre-calculus concepts. The MPCT curriculum is problem-driven, with analytical challenge exercises that are intended to motivate inquiry and to illustrate the reasoning used in the STEM professions Preliminary evaluation results are encouraging - students from a wide range of academic majors found MPCT engaging, and report that the course conveyed insight, and decreased anxiety about foundational mathematical concepts.
AB - We report on the content and early evaluation of a new introductory programming course "Media Propelled Computational Thinking," (abbreviated MPCT and pronounced IMPaCT). MPCT is integrated into a freshmanlevel program designed for under-prepared students with interests in a STEM discipline. It is intended to reduce attrition rates by fostering student intuition in, appreciation of, and confidence about basic pre-calculus concepts. The MPCT curriculum is problem-driven, with analytical challenge exercises that are intended to motivate inquiry and to illustrate the reasoning used in the STEM professions Preliminary evaluation results are encouraging - students from a wide range of academic majors found MPCT engaging, and report that the course conveyed insight, and decreased anxiety about foundational mathematical concepts.
KW - CCLI
KW - CPATH
KW - CS0
KW - Component
KW - Entering students program
KW - Introductory computing curriculum
KW - MPCT
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=77954949047&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=77954949047&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1109/EDUCON.2010.5492514
DO - 10.1109/EDUCON.2010.5492514
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:77954949047
SN - 9781424465682
T3 - 2010 IEEE Education Engineering Conference, EDUCON 2010
SP - 663
EP - 672
BT - 2010 IEEE Education Engineering Conference, EDUCON 2010
T2 - 2010 IEEE Education Engineering Conference, EDUCON 2010
Y2 - 14 April 2010 through 16 April 2010
ER -