Creation, deployment and evaluation of an innovative secondary school software development curriculum module

This paper describes a project underway at Arizona State University to develop an innovative secondary school software development curriculum module which provides students with a better understanding of the software development field, dispels misconceptions and, hopefully, increases the number and diversity of students continuing their studies in preparation for software development careers. This curriculum module can be used as a stand alone course or integrated into other secondary school information technology courses. This module takes advantage of new and innovative learning technologies and introduces the concept of a "virtual company" that the students are a part of. The module is designed to be offered early in the student\´s program in order to encourage the taking of additional courses, such as advanced placement courses, if they are available. Web and CD-Based course materials are under development to facilitate flexible delivery by secondary school teachers. This paper presents the current version of the curriculum module along with the experiences of three high schools implementing it.