An International Pilot Study of K-12 Teachers' Computer Science Self-Esteem

Vivian, R., Quille, K., McGill, M. M., Falkner, K., Sentance, S., Barksdale, S., Busuttil, L., Cole, E., Liebe, C. and Maiorana, F. (2020) An International Pilot Study of K-12 Teachers' Computer Science Self-Esteem. In: 2020 ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE ’20), Trondheim, Norway, 15-19 June 2020, pp. 117-123. ISBN 9781450368742 (doi: 10.1145/3341525.3387418)

Abstract

Computer Science (CS) is a new subject area for many K-12 teachers around the world, requiring new disciplinary knowledge and skills. Teacher social-behavioral factors (e.g. self-esteem) have been found to impact learning and teaching, and a key part of CS curriculum implementation will need to ensure teachers feel confident to deliver CS. However, studies about CS teacher self-esteem are lacking. This paper presents an analysis of publicly available data (n=219) from a pilot study using a Teacher CS Self-Esteem scale. Analysis revealed significant differences, including 1) females reported significantly lower CS self-esteem than males, 2) primary teachers reported lower levels of CS self-esteem than secondary teachers, 3) those with no CS teaching experience reported significantly lower CS self-esteem, 4) teachers with 0-3 years experience had a negative CS self-esteem, but after four years, teachers had a positive CS self-esteem, and 5) teachers who lived further from metropolitan areas and in some countries reported lower CS self-esteem. These initial findings suggest a pressing need for future research to look further into teacher CS self-esteem to inform teacher CS professional development.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cole, Elizabeth
• Authors: Vivian, R., Quille, K., McGill, M. M., Falkner, K., Sentance, S., Barksdale, S., Busuttil, L., Cole, E., Liebe, C., and Maiorana, F.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering
• ISBN: 9781450368742