article

Threshold concepts in computer science: do they exist and are they useful?

Authors:

Jonas Boustedt,

Robert McCartney,

Jan Erik Moström,

Mark Ratcliffe,

Carol ZanderAuthors Info & Claims

ACM SIGCSE Bulletin, Volume 39, Issue 1

Pages 504 - 508

https://doi.org/10.1145/1227504.1227482

Published: 07 March 2007 Publication History

Abstract

Yes, and Yes.We are currently undertaking an pirical investigation of "Threshold Concepts" in Computer Science, with input from both instructors and students. We have found good pirical evidence that at least two concepts---Object-oriented programming and pointers--are Threshold Concepts, and that there are potentially many more others.In this paper, we present results gathered using various experimental techniques, and discuss how Threshold Concepts can affect the learning process.

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Cited By

Adamiak J(2024)Applying Threshold Concepts Strategies to Teaching Computing Students in an ODL ContextOpen Praxis10.55982/openpraxis.16.2.55216:2(225-236)Online publication date: 3-Apr-2024
https://doi.org/10.55982/openpraxis.16.2.552
Haglund PMannila LStrömbäck FBerglund AMonga MLonati VBarendsen ESheard JPaterson J(2024)Grasping the Unseen: TA Insights into Teaching Subtle Concepts in Computer ScienceProceedings of the 2024 on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education V. 110.1145/3649217.3653601(157-163)Online publication date: 3-Jul-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3649217.3653601
Selva MBroquedis FStephenson BStone JBattestilli LRebelsky SShoop L(2024)Mining Jewels Together: Debating about Programming Threshold Concepts in Large ClassesProceedings of the 55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education V. 110.1145/3626252.3630893(1189-1195)Online publication date: 7-Mar-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3626252.3630893
Show More Cited By

Index Terms

Threshold concepts in computer science: do they exist and are they useful?
1. Social and professional topics
  1. Professional topics
    1. Computing education
      1. Computing education programs
        Computer science education

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Information

Published In

cover image ACM SIGCSE Bulletin

ACM SIGCSE Bulletin Volume 39, Issue 1

March 2007

581 pages

ISSN:0097-8418

DOI:10.1145/1227504

Issue’s Table of Contents

SIGCSE '07: Proceedings of the 38th SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education
March 2007
634 pages
ISBN:1595933611
DOI:10.1145/1227310
General Chairs:
Ingrid Russell
University of Hartford
,
Susan Haller
SUNY Potsdam
,
Program Chairs:
J. D. Dougherty
Haverford College
,
Susan Rodger
Duke University

Copyright © 2007 ACM.

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Association for Computing Machinery

New York, NY, United States

Publication History

Published: 07 March 2007

Published in SIGCSE Volume 39, Issue 1

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Cited By

Adamiak J(2024)Applying Threshold Concepts Strategies to Teaching Computing Students in an ODL ContextOpen Praxis10.55982/openpraxis.16.2.55216:2(225-236)Online publication date: 3-Apr-2024
https://doi.org/10.55982/openpraxis.16.2.552
Haglund PMannila LStrömbäck FBerglund AMonga MLonati VBarendsen ESheard JPaterson J(2024)Grasping the Unseen: TA Insights into Teaching Subtle Concepts in Computer ScienceProceedings of the 2024 on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education V. 110.1145/3649217.3653601(157-163)Online publication date: 3-Jul-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3649217.3653601
Selva MBroquedis FStephenson BStone JBattestilli LRebelsky SShoop L(2024)Mining Jewels Together: Debating about Programming Threshold Concepts in Large ClassesProceedings of the 55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education V. 110.1145/3626252.3630893(1189-1195)Online publication date: 7-Mar-2024
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3626252.3630893
Jerkins JRawajfih YRay D(2023)Common C++ Pointer Misconceptions: Essence and TreatmentJournal of Computing Sciences in Colleges10.5555/3636988.363700739:3(76-85)Online publication date: 1-Oct-2023
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/3636988.3637007
McSkimming BMackay SDecker A(2023)Identification of Threshold Concepts for Intermediate Computer Science Students2023 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE)10.1109/FIE58773.2023.10343211(1-5)Online publication date: 18-Oct-2023
https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE58773.2023.10343211
de Almeida MGomes AMargalho LBranco JFidalgo C(2023)Failure rates in Maths and CS 1: are they associated?2023 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON)10.1109/EDUCON54358.2023.10125194(1-6)Online publication date: 1-May-2023
https://doi.org/10.1109/EDUCON54358.2023.10125194
Khomokhoana PWario R(2023)Value of Explicit Instruction in Teaching Computer Programming to Post-graduate Students: The Kirkpatrick Training Evaluation ModelICT Education10.1007/978-3-031-48536-7_2(18-33)Online publication date: 29-Nov-2023
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-48536-7_2
Beitelmal WLittlejohn ROkonkwo PHassan IBarhoumi EKhozaei FHassan AAlkaaf K(2022)Threshold Concepts Theory in Higher Education—Introductory Statistics Courses as an ExampleEducation Sciences10.3390/educsci1211074812:11(748)Online publication date: 26-Oct-2022
https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12110748
Ramnath SDathan BHenz MLerner B(2022)Crossing Learning Thresholds Progressively via Active LearningProceedings of the 2022 ACM SIGPLAN International Symposium on SPLASH-E10.1145/3563767.3568128(14-23)Online publication date: 29-Nov-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3563767.3568128
Malmi LSheard JKinnunen PSimon Sinclair J(2022)Development and Use of Domain-specific Learning Theories, Models, and Instruments in Computing EducationACM Transactions on Computing Education10.1145/353022123:1(1-48)Online publication date: 29-Dec-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3530221
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