research-article

Threshold concepts and threshold skills in computing

Authors:

Jonas Boustedt,

Robert McCartney,

Jan Erik Moström,

Carol ZanderAuthors Info & Claims

ICER '12: Proceedings of the ninth annual international conference on International computing education research

Pages 23 - 30

https://doi.org/10.1145/2361276.2361283

Published: 09 September 2012 Publication History

Abstract

Threshold concepts can be used to both organize disciplinary knowledge and explain why students have difficulties at certain points in the curriculum. Threshold concepts transform a student's view of the discipline; before being learned, they can block a student's progress.

In this paper, we propose that in computing, skills, in addition to concepts, can sometimes be thresholds. Some students report finding skills more difficult than concepts. We discuss some computing skills that may be thresholds and compare threshold skills and threshold concepts.

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Cited By

Mackay SMcSkimming BDecker A(2024)Interview Iterations and Improvements for Identifying Intermediate Computer Science Threshold Concepts2024 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE)10.1109/FIE61694.2024.10893570(1-5)Online publication date: 13-Oct-2024
https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE61694.2024.10893570
Mackay S(2023)Investigating Troublesome Knowledge in Middle-Year Computer Science Courses to Support RetentionProceedings of the 2023 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research - Volume 210.1145/3568812.3603457(113-115)Online publication date: 7-Aug-2023
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3568812.3603457
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
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Index Terms

Threshold concepts and threshold skills in computing
1. Social and professional topics
  1. Professional topics
    1. Computing education
      1. Computing education programs
        Computer science education

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cover image ACM Conferences

ICER '12: Proceedings of the ninth annual international conference on International computing education research

September 2012

174 pages

ISBN:9781450316040

DOI:10.1145/2361276

General Chairs:
Alison Clear
CPIT, Christchurch, NZ
,
Kate Sanders
Rhode Island College, Providence, USA
,
Beth Simon
USD, San Diego, USA

Copyright © 2012 ACM.

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SIGCSE: ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education

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Published: 09 September 2012

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September 9 - 11, 2012

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Overall Acceptance Rate 189 of 803 submissions, 24%

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Cited By

Mackay SMcSkimming BDecker A(2024)Interview Iterations and Improvements for Identifying Intermediate Computer Science Threshold Concepts2024 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE)10.1109/FIE61694.2024.10893570(1-5)Online publication date: 13-Oct-2024
https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE61694.2024.10893570
Mackay S(2023)Investigating Troublesome Knowledge in Middle-Year Computer Science Courses to Support RetentionProceedings of the 2023 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research - Volume 210.1145/3568812.3603457(113-115)Online publication date: 7-Aug-2023
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3568812.3603457
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
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
Szabo CSheard J(2022)Learning Theories Use and Relationships in Computing Education ResearchACM Transactions on Computing Education10.1145/348705623:1(1-34)Online publication date: 29-Dec-2022
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3487056
Nasir ULaiq M(2022)Threshold Concepts and Skills in Software Architecture: Instructors’ Perspectives2022 29th Asia-Pacific Software Engineering Conference (APSEC)10.1109/APSEC57359.2022.00076(547-553)Online publication date: Dec-2022
https://doi.org/10.1109/APSEC57359.2022.00076
Malmi LSheard JKinnunen PSimon Sinclair J(2020)Computing education theoriesACM Inroads10.1145/338188911:1(54-64)Online publication date: 13-Feb-2020
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3381889
Layman LSong YGuinn CChang MLo DGamess E(2020)Toward Predicting Success and Failure in CS2Proceedings of the 2020 ACM Southeast Conference10.1145/3374135.3385277(218-225)Online publication date: 2-Apr-2020
https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3374135.3385277
Piwek PSavage SZhang JSherriff MHeckman SCutter PMonge A(2020)Challenges with Learning to Program and Problem SolveProceedings of the 51st ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education10.1145/3328778.3366838(494-499)Online publication date: 26-Feb-2020
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Szabo CFalkner NPetersen ABort HCunningham KDonaldson PHellas ARobinson JSheard JRößling GGiannakos MScharlau BMcDermott RPears ASabin M(2019)Review and Use of Learning Theories within Computer Science Education ResearchProceedings of the Working Group Reports on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education10.1145/3344429.3372504(89-109)Online publication date: 18-Dec-2019
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