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Investigation of Academic Performance, Motivation, and Personality Traits in an Introductory Computer Programming Course

Undergraduate #221
Discipline: Computer Sciences and Information Management
Subcategory: Computer Science & Information Systems

Haven Hairston - Winston-Salem State University


The United States Department of Labor predicts that between 2008 and 2018, 1.4 million computing jobs will have opened in the United States. It is imperative that colleges produce more students studying Computer Science if we are to fill those jobs. Additionally, within the United States, there is an achievement gap between under-represented minority students and majority students at a time when underrepresented groups are becoming an increasing proportion of the national labor force. This reluctance to study Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines must be confronted and changed if the United States is to maintain a competitive position within the global market. Effective use of learning technologies is vital to solving many of our current STEM learning challenges. Robotics is a growing research area in computer science education. Robotics engages multiple modes of learning, including: sensory, perceptual, and cognitive information processing. A benefit of using robotics as an instructional tool is the development of effective learning strategies such as time management, motivation, concentration, positive attitude, comprehension, information processing and self-testing. Robotics enhanced instruction is presently used across the control to successfully teach computing concepts in higher education. The use of robotics in the undergraduate curriculum has proven to be instrumental in meaningfully engaging students and motivating them to achieve. In this project we investigate the motivation levels, engagement, academic performance, and personality traits of students enrolled in an introductory programming course using robotics labs.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): CREU

Faculty Advisor: Rebecca Caldwell, caldwellr@wssu.edu

Role: Literature Review, Sorting/Searching, Inheritance/Polymorphism, preparing surveys and quizes, implement file input/output, collection of data, and analyzing data.

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.

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