Document Type
Poster
Start Date
6-3-2026 12:30 PM
Description
Computing is an increasingly vital skill within the modern economy [3], prompting the Irish Department of Education to take action to integrate computing curricula across all stages of formal education. Despite the growing demand for computer scientists, a significant gap exists between the introduction of computing at 2nd level and students’ continuation in computing at Senior Cycle and 3rd Level education. We are aware that factors such as socioeconomic back- ground [2] and even teacher availability affect student engagement in Computer Science (CS) [1]. We intend to investigate the role of educational experiences in shaping 2nd Level students’ decisions to pursue 3rd level computing in Ireland. This study will follow a longitudinal structure and will examine the intrinsic and extrinsic factors which motivate 2nd Level students to study CS as a Leaving Certificate subject and to pursue CS at 3rd Level. This poster will provide an oversight into our planned research.
Included in
What Educational Experiences Influence 2nd Level Students to Study Computer Science? - A Longitudinal PhD Study
Computing is an increasingly vital skill within the modern economy [3], prompting the Irish Department of Education to take action to integrate computing curricula across all stages of formal education. Despite the growing demand for computer scientists, a significant gap exists between the introduction of computing at 2nd level and students’ continuation in computing at Senior Cycle and 3rd Level education. We are aware that factors such as socioeconomic back- ground [2] and even teacher availability affect student engagement in Computer Science (CS) [1]. We intend to investigate the role of educational experiences in shaping 2nd Level students’ decisions to pursue 3rd level computing in Ireland. This study will follow a longitudinal structure and will examine the intrinsic and extrinsic factors which motivate 2nd Level students to study CS as a Leaving Certificate subject and to pursue CS at 3rd Level. This poster will provide an oversight into our planned research.