A Comparative Study of Second-Level Computer Science Education in Ireland and the United States
Abstract
This dissertation was a comparative study of computer science in secondary schools in both Ireland and the United States. Computer science was a new subject compared to more established subjects in both Ireland and the United States. This dissertation looked at how this subject could be accessed by students in both countries. I used a document research method for this dissertation, which involved collecting documents and literature from schools’ systems, national governments, state governments and private organizations in both countries to understand and answer my research questions.Computer science is a relatively new subject in Ireland. After many attempts to start a computer science program in schools, the Irish government finally released a computer science Leaving Certificate curriculum in 2017 with the aim for the first class to take the computer science Leaving Certificate exam in 2020. A total of 40 schools across Ireland started teaching this course as part of an initial pilot.Computer science in the United States high schools was more established than in Ireland. Over the last number of decades computer languages such as C#, C++, Java and Fortran have been taught in high schools across America. In the early 2010’s the National Science Foundation led an initiative to increase access to computer science in high schools across the United States by introducing a new computer science program called AP computer science principles; this was an introductory course that enabled high school students to learn computer science.As part of my finding’s sections, I established that access was improving across America with many high schools now offering computer science classes that once didn’t; however, female participation in computer science classes in schools needs addressing.Whereby Ireland has introduced computer science at both the Junior and Leaving Certificate level, there are still only 82 schools that offer Leaving Certificate classes and 94 schools that offer the coding course at Junior Certificate out of 727 schools nationwide. As part of my recommendations, I recommend that the States within the United States should attempt to provide access to 75% of schools by 2025 and Ireland should expect all schools to provide Leaving Certificate computer science classes by 2025.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Naimi, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Elementary education|European Studies|Labor relations|Science education|Secondary education
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