The Synthesis of a Unified Pedagogy for the development of E-Learning Software for the Computing GCSE

Abstract

This study investigates the need for a unified pedagogy for the development of E-Learning software for high-school Computer Science. Additionally, it will result in Computer Science E-Learning software that can be used in student instruction or asynchronous learning. Both the pedagogy and the resulting E-Learning software will be evaluated in terms of their impact on learning performance and student motivation. The problem domain focuses on the recent challenges faced in UK education that resulted in the Programme of Study for ICT being temporarily dis-applied and a new emphasis towards Computer Science GCSEs. However, it should be noted that the findings are broadly transferable to other developed nations. The pedagogy synthesises the following Learning theories: Constructivism, Social Constructivism, Connectivism, Cognitive Load and VARK learning styles classification, and in Phase 1, these are distilled into 36 principles. The study is broken into three main phases; Phase 1 is the Initial Pedagogical Strategy and Prototype, Phase 2 is the Elaboration via Action Research, and Phase 3 is the Final Mixed Methods Experiment. The study is currently in Phase 1, with preliminary results planned for release in the next few months. However, preliminary findings confirm Computer Science as an area of educational significance, which would benefit from the proposed E-Learning pedagogy and resultant E-Learning software.