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Computer Science Education in North-Rhine Westphalia, Germany—A Case Study

Published: 30 April 2015 Publication History

Abstract

In North-Rhine Westphalia, the most populated state in Germany, Computer Science (CS) has been taught in secondary schools since the early 1970s. This article provides an overview of the past and current situation of CS education in North-Rhine Westphalia, including lessons learned through efforts to introduce and to maintain CS in secondary education. In particular, we focus on the differential school system and the educational landscape of CS education, the different facets of CS teacher education, and CS education research programs and directions that are directly connected with these aspects. In addition, this report offers a rationale for including CS education in general education, which includes the educational value of CS for students in today’s information and knowledge society. Through this article, we ultimately provide an overview of the significant elements that are crucial for the successful integration of CS as a compulsory subject within secondary schools.

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cover image ACM Transactions on Computing Education
ACM Transactions on Computing Education  Volume 15, Issue 2
Special Issue II on Computer Science Education in K-12 Schools
May 2015
142 pages
EISSN:1946-6226
DOI:10.1145/2767124
Issue’s Table of Contents
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Publication History

Published: 30 April 2015
Accepted: 01 December 2014
Revised: 01 November 2014
Received: 01 April 2013
Published in TOCE Volume 15, Issue 2

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Author Tags

  1. Computer science education
  2. K-12
  3. compulsory subject
  4. computer science education research
  5. computer science teacher education
  6. curriculum development
  7. extracurricular activities
  8. rationale
  9. secondary computer science education in Germany
  10. secondary schools

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  • Refereed

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  • Gleichstellungsstelle der Bergischen Universität Wuppertal
  • Deutsche Telekom Stiftung
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung

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