Inquiry based Learning in Computer Science teaching in Higher Education

Abstract This paper considers the role of inquiry based learning in connecting research with teaching in the Higher Education environment, in particular in the case of teaching Computer Science. The way in which technology can enhance and support inquiry based learning is briefly touched upon. Inquiry Based Learning is a topic which is identified with the so called “teaching research nexus", an issue which has been identified internationally and in particular within the U.K. as of growing importance. Pressures on H.E. education have brought the matter of how research interfaces with undergraduate teaching into the spotlight. Indeed, in 2007 one of the key issues identified by the U.K. Higher Education Academy is the research-teaching nexus. This topic is relevant to the H.E. sector in general, but the focus of this paper is on how inquiry based learning is relevant to and can impact on the teaching of computer science, a subject which is often perceived as focussed on practical and applied knowledge.