Abstract:

Technology enhanced learning (TEL) pedagogies provide opportunities to support dialogue, best practice and improve educational learning outcomes. A foundation subject within Computer Science is Mathematics, a subject which students continue to find challenging. Research into TEL pedagogies conducted over the last three years at National College of Ireland’s “Introduction to Mathematics for Computing” module with different cohorts investigated the Flipped-Classroom (FC) and FC with practice testing within a novel Practice Testing Learning Framework (PTLF). FC environment had a positive impact, and that effect was enhanced in a subsequent cohort by combining FC with practice testing compared with the traditional classroom. While students expressed a preference for FC pedagogy and practice testing, student engagement varied over time potentially impacted by sequencing, competing demands and workload prioritisation. We recommend that the Practice Testing Learning Framework be used to increase student performance as well as student engagement in a Flipped-Classroom environment.

Keywords:

Learning technologies, computer science education, computer assisted instruction, practice testing, flipped classroom, discrete mathematics.