Computer Science beyond Coding

Partnering to Create Teacher Cybersecurity Microcredentials

Bibliographic Data

ID22048358
AuthorsAndrea C Burrows (0000-0001-5925-3596, University of Wyoming, corresponding author), Mike Borowczak (0000-0001-9409-8245, University of Wyoming), Bekir Mugayitoglu (University of Wyoming)
Year2021
Volume12
Issue1
Pages4
Publication date2021-12-22
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEducation Sciences (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-7102 • E-ISSN: 2227-7102
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/educsci12010004
OpenAlexW4200409886
LanguageEN
References cited23

Computer science, cybersecurity education, and microcredentials are becoming more pervasive in all levels of the educational system. The purpose of this study was partnering with precollegiate teachers: (1) to investigate the self-efficacy of 30 precollegiate teacher participants towards computer science before, during, and after three iterations of a cybersecurity microcredential, and (2) to make changes to the cybersecurity microcredential to improve its effectiveness. The authors explored what teachers need in a microcredential. The first Cohort (n = 5) took the microcredential sequence over 28 days in the summer of 2020, the second Cohort (n = 16) took it over 42 days in the fall of 2020, and the third Cohort (n = 9) took it over 49 days in the summer of 2021. The authors investigated three research questions and used a systems thinking approach while developing, evaluating, and implementing the research study. The researchers used quantitative methods in the collection of a self-efficacy subscale survey to assess whether the precollegiate teachers’ beliefs about computer science changed, and then used qualitative methods when conducting semi-structured teacher participant interviews to address the research questions. The findings show that the precollegiate teachers’ self-efficacy scores towards computer science increased, and that there are areas in need of attention, such as resources and implementation, when creating microcredentials. The implications of this research include the importance of purposefully crafting microcredentials and professional developments, including aspects of creating effective partnerships

Cohort · Mathematics education · Medical education · Qualitative research · Science education · Self-efficacy · Sociology · Child Development and Digital Technology · Computer Science · Information and Cyber Security · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology

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