CSC News

Heckman and Other Researchers Assess the Impact of Peer Teaching

Dr. Sarah Heckman, Director of Undergraduate Programs and Teaching Associate Professor of computer science at NC State University, has been awarded $88,528 by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to support her research proposal entitled “Effective Peer Teaching Across Computing Pathways.”

The award will run from January 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021.  Co-PIs on the project are Dr. Tzvetelina Battestilli, Teaching Associate Professor in the NC State Computer Science Department, and Dr. Anna Howard, Teaching Associate Professor in the NC State Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

Abstract – Demand for computing is increasing across pathways; majors, minors, and computing in discipline. Peer teachers are critically needed to support student learning outcomes. This proposal builds on an existing network improvement community in peer teaching to expand support across computing pathways. We will assess the impact of peer teaching, particularly related to support with debugging, on 1) departmental and non-major course culture, student learning and support and 2) broadening participation of underrepresented groups in computing courses and as peer teachers. We will share our results and build a larger community through a 2nd offering of the Peer Teaching Summit. 

~coates~