Making computer science engaging for all learners from middle school through college
and beyond.
Thanks go to our donors, Edward and Cherokee Randolph, who have generously funded
this work to help us focus efforts on making the complex field of Computer Science
more approachable for learners of all ages and learning styles.
Candidates for the Endowed Randolph Professor of Computer Scence Education are being sought. Responsibilities include teaching undergraduate and/or graduate
courses in CSE, MST, and teacher preparation programs; contributing to the department’s
and institution’s efforts in supporting student academic success while engaging and
encouraging students from diverse academic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds;
establishing a collaborative, externally funded computer science research program
with a focus on Computer Science Education; serving as research advisor for CSE and/or
MST students; developing two coordinated summer programs: one for MST teachers and
one for middle and high school level students focused on making computer science engaging,
relevant, and exciting; recruiting students and helping support Computer Science,
MST, and STEM Education outreach activities; preparing accountability and assessment
reports; supporting the program certification and accreditation; and other support
as needed. For this endowed faculty position, highly articulate oral and written communications
skills are essential. The successful candidate is expected to start at NMT in August
of 2023 or as negotiated. See below for more on the Randolph Computer Scence Education
Program.
Program Components
Computer Science Education Research
Exploring how learners of different types can be supported through teaching methods
and technologies.
Computer Science Tutoring
Enhancing tutoring in the Computer Science Program at NMT.
Teaching Teachers
Teaching teachers in the Master of Science for Teachers program computer science content
and how to teach computer science content to learners with a variety of learning styles.
Teaching faculty and graduate students in Computer Science and Engineering teaching
methods and technologies to best teach computer science to learners with a variety
of learning styles.
Engaging our Community
Exploring community engagement through a summer program for teachers and students
from grades 7-12.
Tutoring in Socorro Schools
NMT students provide tutoring support for students in Socorro Schools.
Outreach
Outreach to New Mexico K-12 schools to grow interest in and engagment with computer
science.
Our work in computer science education targets helping learners of all types with
the goal of making many modes of learning more accessible, as well as fun and engaging.
Learning Styles
Readers
Students who learn most easily from reading need well written, clear prose to convey
not only the technical subjects but also how they related to the real-world and student's
lives.
Listeners
Listeners are typically well supported by traditional lecture-based courses, aka the
sage on the stage model of education.
Hands-on Learners
Hands-on learners must do activities that engage them in the desired practices. It
is not enough to hear or read about the activity, they must practice it to really
make it real for them.
Visual Learners
Visual learners may be best supported by watching videos of an activity or seeing
a simulation as a computer carries out a computation.
Integrative Learners
This group of students are best served by multiple (possibly many) modes of communication
and learning. For example such a learner may read a text, listen to a lecture, and
watch a video before they attempt to perform the activity themselves. This requires
development of materials and technologies across all teaching / learning methods in
an easy to use manner for both teacher and student.