http://dl.acm.org/citation.cfm?id=2677272&CFID=468761520&CFTOKEN=94977925 Abstract: Computing is now one of the fastest growing fields of employment, with a large bias placed on developing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in schools. However, due to the fast pace of technology development, it is increasingly difficult for schools to keep up with the latest computing methodologies. A possible solution is the use of university outreach programmes, whereby local universities can provide training workshops on areas that can be challenging for schools to implement. This can be problematic, as there is a perceived lack of interest in the methods used to interact with secondary school pupils on a university level. This paper introduces a week long ‘Easter Computing School’, comprising of five workshop sessions on different topics. These sessions were analysed in terms of user engagement, to better understand aspects that are important to secondary school pupils. It was found that a combination of theory and interactive workshop sessions can provide the highest levels of engagement and their use is encouraged in future workshop design.

1. An Analysis of User Engagement in
Relation to Computing Workshop
Activities
R. Menzies, University of Dundee
M. Crabb, University of Dundee
D. Herron, University of Dundee
K. Petrie, University of Dundee
C. Stewart, University of Dundee
M. Zarb, Robert Gordon University

3. What is Computing?
Shortfall in CS Graduates

5. how does outreach compare to the
classroom?

7. ARDUINO

8. WEB DESIGN

9. PROTOTYPING

10. MATHS IN GAMES
= +%

11. Focussed attention
Perceived usability
Aesthetics
Endurability
Novelty
Involvement

13. Small
sample
sizes
Cohen’s
D

14. Arduino Workshop
Baseline ARDUINO
Focussed Attention
Perceived Usability
Aesthetics
Endurability
Novelty
Involvement

15. ARDUINO
High aesthetic appeal
Reduced endurability
Enjoyed the challenge

16. Web Design Workshop
BaselineWEB DESIGN
Focussed Attention
Perceived Usability
Aesthetics
Endurability
Novelty
Involvement

17. WEB DESIGN
Reduced attention
Unfamiliar topic
Similar to classroom

18. PROTOTYPINGPrototyping Workshop
Baseline
Focussed Attention
Perceived Usability
Aesthetics
Endurability
Novelty
Involvement

19. PROTOTYPING
Reduced attention
Use of physical objects
highly interactive

20. MATHS IN GAMESMaths in Games Workshop
Baseline
Focussed Attention
Perceived Usability
Aesthetics
Endurability
Novelty
Involvement

21. MATHS IN GAMES
Increased aesthetics
Increased involvement
CS Unplugged

22. ARDUINO
WEB DESIGN
PROTOTYPING
MATHS IN GA

23. ARDUINO
WEB DESIGN
PROTOTYPING
MATHS IN GA

24. ARDUINO
WEB DESIGN
PROTOTYPING
MATHS IN GA

25. ARDUINO
WEB DESIGN
PROTOTYPING
MATHS IN GA

26. ONEIncrease attention & usability with
theory-based activities

27. TWOIncrease aesthetics, involvement &
endurability with interactive sessions

28. THREEEvaluating sessions using this method gives
more detail than previous techniques

29. THANK YOU
r.menzies@dundee.ac.uk