Artifact : Independent Study

Curriculum_independence study     Standards AECT : 5.1, 5.2 & 5.3

Description: During the fall semester of 2014, I worked on better curriculum design for freshmen students, under the mentorship and guidance of Dr. David D. Carbonara, for one of the elective courses, GDIT 509: Independent Study.

Goal: The goal of this independent study was to investigate whether, if we build a better educational programming language curriculum with strategic insight drawing from right pedagogy, will students learn better? The independent study was to lay the groundwork for my dissertation research.

Expectation:  The expectations of independent study are twofold: (1) Read and conduct an extensive literature review to understand the basics of visual programming for education, and (2) write Chapters 1, 2, and 3 of my Proposal Defense.

Reflection: Although, I had taken independence study prior to this independence study. I found that this Independence study increased my research skill level more. It provided the chance for me to develop and apply research methodologies. Dr. David D. Carbonara and I met weekly to discuss teaching and writing Chapters 1, 2, and 3. The independent study expanded my literature review on MIT Scratch, CMU Alice, and other programming languages; developed my programming abilities to learn more; and provided an opportunity to advance my thoughts toward my dissertation topic. I will apply same opportunity for my prospective students to support and encourage to take independence study to stick them to their interested research to enhance their learning ability and improve performance.