Modern teaching methods in computer science courses at professional high schools

Gregor Mede (2012) Modern teaching methods in computer science courses at professional high schools. EngD thesis.

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Abstract

The purpose of the thesis is to demonstrate efficiency of collaborative and constructivistic approach to teaching computer science on the high school level of education. This approach is introduced in field of computer networking, regarding topic of wireless networks. At the beginning of theoretical part we present computer science teaching methods used today in high schools and e-learning materials already created for this purpose. Next we describe some other methods of teaching with collaborative-constructivist approach regarding computer networking presented in details. There is also a review of software applications and learning management systems designed to support teaching computer science. In the applicative part of the thesis we describe how lessons regarding the chosen topic were held for two different groups of students. In one group, we carried out lessons in the traditional way, with another we used the collaborative-constructivist approach. In the end we collected the responses of students to the new way of teaching. We found that the collaborative-constructivist teaching approach is an effective way of achieving longer lasting knowledge of students and better preparing them for situations that await them in the workplace. The collaborative part of teaching is also important as it helps students develop social skills which a computer technician needs when working on projects. The responses of students were mixed. This is mainly due to the fact that they were not used to this way of learning. This method is more suitable for better students, they were also pleased by the teacher's compliments. Those who lacked knowledge prefer the teacher handing them a solution. We believe that the longer use of this approach to teaching would show better responses for all students, although the results were satisfactory.

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