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For more information on teaching and research, please see those respective pages.
General Information
| name | Connor Bain |
| title | Assistant Professor of Instruction |
| affiliation | Department of Computer Science McCormick School of Engineering Northwestern University |
| connor.bain@northwestern.edu | |
| phone | +1 (847) 467-6455 |
| address | 2233 Tech Drive 3rd Floor Evanston, IL 60202 USA |
Appointments
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2021 - Assistant Professor of Instruction, Computer Science
McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University - Affiliate Faculty Member:
Computer Science and Learning Sciences Program
- Affiliate Faculty Member:
Research Interests
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Computational literacy
- To what extent is the process of computer programming reflective of concretization of knowledge in learners?
- What aspects of computer science are most challenging to learners?
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Teacher practice & expertise
- What are the differences between expert-knowledge, novice-knowledge, and teacher-knowledge that make teachers effective?
- How can we design technological tools to allow for teacher pedagogy to evolve?
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Translating research contributions to educational experiences
- Taking current work on the edge of computer science (and other disciplines) and working with researchers to create educational content for local students to strengthen broader impacts of work
Education
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2021 Ph.D., Computer Science and Learning Sciences
School of Education and Social Policy &
McCormick School of Engineering
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA- Empowering Teachers to CT-ify the Science Classroom
- Advisor: Prof. Uri Wilensky
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2021 M.S., Computer Science
McCormick School of Engineering
Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA- Thesis: Teaching CS: Identifying Unique Aspects of the Role of a CS Teacher in the Classroom
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2015 B.S., Mathematics
University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA - with Honors from the South Carolina Honors College
- summa cum laude
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2015 B.S.C.S., Computer Science
University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, USA - with Leadership Distinction in Civic and Professional Engagement
- summa cum laude
Honors and Awards
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2024 - NU Learning Technologies – Most Innovative Course Site for COMP_SCI 110
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2023 - NU Learning Technologies – (Finalist) Best Use of Video for COMP_SCI 111
- Searle Fellow (NU - Center for Teaching and Learning)
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2022 - Associated Student Government Faculty Honor Roll
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2020 - McCormick School of Engineering – George H. and D.G. Martin Fellowship
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2018 - Northwestern University Presidential Fellowship (Finalist)
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2015 - National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship
- Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award, University of South Carolina
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2014 - Barry M. Goldwater Scholar
- Phi Beta Kappa
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2013 - Udall Scholarship (Honorable Mention)
- Carolina Leadership Initiative Award
- Expanding Scientific Leadership through Carolina Science Outreach
Teaching Experience
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COMP_SCI 110 - Introduction to Computer Programming
- Instructor, Northwestern University
- Avg. Class Size: 185 – Total Students: 1220
- Winter 2022, Spring 2022, Winter 2023, Spring 2023, Winter 2024, Spring 2024, Winter 2025
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COMP_SCI 111 - Fundamentals of Computer Programming I
- Instructor, Northwestern University
- Avg. Class Size: 396 – Total Students: 1589
- Fall 2021, Fall 2022, Fall 2023, Fall 2024
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COMP_SCI 212 - Mathematical Foundations of CS
- Instructor, Northwestern University
- Fall 2022
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COMP_SCI 396 - Communicating Computer Science
- Course Designer & Instructor, Northwestern University
- Avg. Class Size: 36 – Total Students: 125
- Winter 2022, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024, Spring 2025
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COMP_SCI 396 + 496 - Pedagogical Design in CS
- Course Designer & Instructor, Northwestern University
- Spring 2025
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SESP 310 - Introduction to Statistical Causal Inference
- Course Designer & Instructor, Northwestern University
- Spring 2020
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COMP_SCI 372/427 + LRN_SCI 496 - Designing and Constructing Models with Multi-Agent Languages
- Guest Lecturer & Teaching Assistant, Northwestern University
- Spring 2018, Spring 2019, Spring 2021
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SESP 210 - Introduction to Statistics and Research
- Recitation Instructor & Guest Lecturer, Northwestern University
- Winter 2016, Fall 2016, Winter 2017, Fall 2017, Winter 2019
Service
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2023 - Academic Standing Committee
McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University -
2023 - Academic Appeals Committee
McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University -
2023 - Teaching Assistant and Peer Mentor Awards Committee, Computer Science
McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University -
2023, 2024 Teaching Track Hiring Committee, Computer Science
McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University -
2021 - Faculty Fellow, Willard Residential College
Northwestern University - Previously Assistant Faculty Chair (2018 - 2021)
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2016 - 2021 NetLogo Models Library – Managing Editor
Northwestern University -
Reviewer (various)
- Communications of the ACM
- Journal of Teaching and Teacher Education
- ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE)
- FabLearn
- ACM Interaction Design and Children Conference
- International Conference on the Learning Sciences
- Learning Sciences Graduate Student Conference