The efficacy of a computing-concepts video library for students and peer tutors in multidisciplinary contexts

The National Science Foundation (NSF) awarded a $450,244 grant under its STEM Education program (CFDA 47.076) to Trustees of Union College in Schenectady, NY. The grant will fund the development of the OCCTIVE video library, designed to introduce foundational computing concepts in non-computer science courses. The project aims to (1) expand and strengthen the OCCTIVE library, (2) broadly disseminate it for use by non-computer science faculty and peer tutors, and (3) assess its impact on students, faculty, and tutors. This aligns with the program's goal of improving the effectiveness of STEM education for all students by creating and implementing promising educational practices and tools. The grant period runs from April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2027.

Abstract

This project aims to serve the national interest by preparing students in non-computing majors to use computational techniques in their academic work and future careers. Increasingly, students in all disciplines must learn to use computing technology. To meet the increased need for students to use computational methods across all fields, non-computing courses commonly integrate computational components into their curricula. However, many non-computing faculty are not prepared to teach the computing concepts that underlie the computational techniques that their students must master. This project will support non-computing faculty who are teaching computing concepts by developing a curated set of videos that provides the content needed for students to learn basic computing concepts. The infusion of foundational computing concepts into non-computing courses will increase both the number and diversity of students who are prepared to utilize computational technologies when they enter the workforce. This project?S goals are to (1) expand and strengthen the occtive video library (online computing-concepts toolkit of interdisciplinary videos for education), designed to introduce foundational computing concepts in non-CS courses, (2) broadly disseminate occtive for use by non-CS faculty and peer tutors, and (3) assess the impact of occtive use on students, faculty, and peer tutors. The expansion and improvement of the occtive library will be informed by best practices in instructional video design. The videos will be supplemented with sample teaching material and other support materials that aid faculty adoption. Faculty, who will be recruited from a wide range of disciplines and institutions, will be trained to integrate occtive into their courses through in person and virtual workshops. The efficacy of the occtive library will be measured by assessing students? Comprehension of computing concepts, faculty?S adoption of materials in their classes, and peer tutor experiences. The NSF iuse: EDU program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of stem education for all students. Through the engaged student learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.