research-article

A High School Program in Computer Science

Authors:

Judith Gal-Ezer,

Catriel Beeri,

David Harel,

Amiram YehudaiAuthors Info & Claims

Computer, Volume 28, Issue 10

Pages 73 - 80

https://doi.org/10.1109/2.467599

Published: 01 October 1995 Publication History

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Abstract

The authors are part of a committee that has been designing a new high school curriculum in computer science and supervising the preparation of a comprehensive study program based on it. The new program emphasizes the foundations of algorithmic thinking and teaches programming as a way to get the computer to carry out an algorithm. The authors discuss the program and its initial implementation. They begin by discussing the key underlying principles that have guided their work. Then they describe the structure and content of the program, including a 3-unit version of 270 hours and a 5-unit version of 450. The curriculum is divided into five modules: Fundamentals 1 and 2, Software Design, Second Paradigm, Applications, and Theory. The authors describe each module in detail. Next, the authors explain the steps the committee has been taking to get the program under way. They reveal some challenges they have faced in developing the course material. For example, the Fundamentals 1 module had to provide a solid foundation for students who would not study computer science beyond the 10th grade as well as for those who would complete either the 3- or 5-unit program. This program is being tested in Israeli schools. One of the main challenges the committee has faced is a way to provide adequate teacher training.

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Computer Volume 28, Issue 10

October 1995

100 pages

ISSN:0018-9162

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IEEE Computer Society Press

Washington, DC, United States

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Published: 01 October 1995

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Zohar DEzer J(2023)Navigating to Tomorrow's High-Tech Landscape: Outlining a Path Based on the Israeli CaseACM Inroads10.1145/363060614:4(51-56)Online publication date: 27-Nov-2023
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Perlman RCohen HHazzan OSherriff MMerkle LCutter PMonge ASheard J(2021)The CS-orona InitiativeProceedings of the 52nd ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education10.1145/3408877.3432474(732-738)Online publication date: 3-Mar-2021
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