SIGCSE 2023 - Computer Science with Theatricality

From the creator

Computer Science with Theatricality: Creating Memorable Moments in CS50 with the American Repertory Theater during COVID-19 Paper at https://cs.harvard.edu/malan/publications/V1fp479-malan.pdf. Videos at https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhQjrBD2T383jG3nn5HpnBBJZmCEPcpOz. In Fall 2020, Harvard University transitioned entirely from on-campus instruction to Zoom online. But a silver lining of that time was unprecedented availability of space on campus, including the university's own repertory theater. In healthier times, that theater would be brimming with talented artisans and weekly performances, without any computer science in sight. But with that theater's artisans otherwise idled during COVID-19, our introductory course, CS50, had an unusual opportunity to collaborate with the same. Albeit subject to rigorous protocols, including face masks and face shields for all but the course's instructor, along with significant social distancing, that moment in time allowed us an opportunity to experiment with lights, cameras, and action on an actual stage, bringing computer science to life in ways not traditionally possible in the course's own classroom. Equipped with an actual prop shop in back, the team of artisans was able to actualize ideas that might otherwise only exist in slides and code. And students' experience proved the better for it, with a supermajority of students attesting at term's end to the efficacy of almost all of the semester's demonstrations. We present

Published 2023-03-17 · Watch on YouTube ↗
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