معرفی
Jan Pearce is a Professor and Department Founder of Computer & Information Science at Berea College. She served as a 2022 Fulbright Scholar at Ashesi University in Ghana and was on sabbatical during the 2022-2023 academic year. Her teaching portfolio includes foundational courses such as Data Structures (CSC 236), Open Source Software Engineering (CSC 426), and Introduction to Robotics (CSC 126), with course listings documented through Fall 2021 and Spring 2022.
Professor Pearce's research and teaching interests center on open source software development methodologies, computer science education innovation, and robotics pedagogy. Her work emphasizes community engagement in open source projects, critical reflection practices in technical learning, and developing effective approaches for teaching software engineering concepts. She has developed specialized curriculum around Git workflows, Runestone Interactive, and open source contribution processes that prepare students for real-world software development environments.
- 2022 Fulbright Scholar, Ashesi University, Ghana
As the department founder and professor, Pearce has guided numerous undergraduate students through rigorous computer science coursework with an emphasis on hands-on learning and community building. Her teaching philosophy integrates blog-based critical reflection with technical skill development, requiring students to analyze their learning processes rather than merely report on activities. She has developed specific frameworks for distinguishing between reporting, reflection, and critical reflection in student work.
Professor Pearce has been instrumental in creating curriculum that bridges traditional computer science education with open source software development practices. Her courses feature structured pathways for students to contribute to real open source projects through Runestone Interactive, with detailed processes for task management, version control, and community engagement. She emphasizes the importance of understanding open source community dynamics, motivation factors for contributors, and sustainable development practices.
