Discipline-Based Education Research Group

 

Date of this Version

9-1-2016

Document Type

Presentation

Citation

DBER Presentation, Sept. 1, 2016. University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Comments

Copyright (c) 2016 Steve Cooper

Abstract

Our questions

Is there a correlation between a student's spatial abilities and her ability in programming? Spatial abilities are measured through the R-PSVT, and CS programming ability is measured the 2009 AP CS MC questions

If yes, can we increase programming success through the teaching of spatial skills?

Results

Spatial training seemed to be correlated with better CS gains, and in particular helped Hispanic women and students from low SES backgrounds

Caveats

We measured code reading, but taught code writing

Differing student demographics for the 2 sessions

Small n

Share

COinS