INTRODUCING A CS0 CLASS TO EASE TRANSITION TO CS1: ANOTHER ATTEMPT AT RETENTION

Abstract

Retention of students enroll in CS1 continues tochallenge many computer science departments. This isprimarily due to lack of K-12 computer science preparationand unrealistic expectations about the discipline. Manyfreshmen base their decision to major in CS on their generalsavvyness with technology, and ability to successfullynavigate their home computers. When students enroll in theirfirst computer science course, they realize their perceptionsdo not match the reality of this academic discipline anddropout. Unfortunately this is the case with nearly 30% ofstudents entering our introductory computer science courses.This paper describes an innovative approach underway atIndiana University, to address this retention problem. Ourapproach uses a guided, active learning environment whichallows students to slowly develop the proper critical thinkingand problem solving skills necessary to succeed in theComputer Science discipline.

Index Terms - Computer Science Education, Activelearning, Innovative Approaches in Computer Science andInformatics Education.