There's a huge literature on using programming as a tool for teaching maths, with a constructivist / constructionist / sociocultural perspective. I assume you're aware of that, and that's not what you're asking about. If you are, say so, and I will provide some pointers.
As for CS, I'm not aware of any work in this direction. However, I would ask: what do you teach as introductory CS? In some cases, this means plain technical stuff - mainly basic programming. In others, its the elementary principles of computational theory. I suppose the method of instruction would vary accordingly.
I can testify that in my studies, without anyone bothering to say it on so many words, there was a strong cultural / constructionist element: in class, we were taught theory. Then we were given programming tasks. No one taught us programming languages or techniques: it was assumed that we would spend a few nights in the freshman's computer lab, learn from individual exploration and peer interaction. It worked.
best,
- Yishay
James Richard Sheldon wrote:
I've been doing a lot of reading about constructivist and sociocultural models of learning and their application to math classrooms. I find that when helping students with math, I'm able to apply this knowledge... but when doing introductory computer science, I seem to revert back into a behaviorist mindset... Does anyone know of any good articles on the application of constructivist & sociocultural theory to CS classes?
James
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