Toward the visual understanding of computing curricula
Loading...
Date
Authors
Takada, Shingo
Cuadros-Vargas, Ernesto
Impagliazzo, John
Gordon, Steven
Marshall, Linda
Topi, Heikki
Van der Veer, Gerrit
Waguespack, Leslie
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
Various computing subdisciplines, such as computer science and software engineering, each have their own curricular guidelines. They can be very difficult to understand and compare for people such as prospective students, industry personnel, and even faculty members. This is compounded by a lack of information surrounding undergraduate computing curricular topics via visual methods. This paper describes two experimental activities where the objective is to explore the possibility of obtaining quantitative data sets necessary for visualization, one based on competencies and the other based on knowledge areas. Both activities were based on surveys. The results from the first activity showed that a consensus interpretation could be obtained for the knowledge, skills, and dispositions implied by the competency descriptions, although not as strongly for dispositions. The second activity resulted in a table of knowledge areas with minimum and maximum weights for six computing subdisciplines. Finally, this paper also shows two examples of how users can explore the various curricular guidelines through visualization.
Description
Keywords
Curricular visualization, Computing education, Computing competency, Global standards
Sustainable Development Goals
Citation
Takada, S., Cuadros-Vargas, E., Impagliazzo, J. et al. Toward the visual understanding of computing curricula. Education and Information Technologies 25, 4231–4270 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10127-1.