Philip Sheridan Buffum

Ph.D. Candidate, Computer Science, North Carolina State University
psbuffum@ncsu.edu

A native Rhode Islander, I am now pursuing a PhD in Computer Science at NCSU under the guidance of Dr. Kristy Boyer. Before coming to NCSU, I studied Classics as an undergraduate at Brown University and then worked in urban education for several years, including two years serving with the National College Advising Corps.

My research interests lie in computer science education and in artificial intelligence. In computer science education, I am interested in the design of K-12 curricula that integrate computational thinking with other disciplines, equitable design, and in K-12 teacher development. In artificial intelligence, my research focuses on pedagogical agents and narrative-centered learning environments.

education

Ph.D., Computer Science (in progress)
   North Carolina State University

M.S., Computer Science (2015)
   North Carolina State University

A.B., Classics (2008)
   Brown University

publications

journal articles
2016
[1]Collaboration and Gender Equity in Game-Based Learning for Middle School Computer Science. Philip Sheridan Buffum, Megan Hardy Frankosky, Kristy Elizabeth Boyer, Eric N. Wiebe, Bradford W. Mott, James C. Lester. IEEE Computing in Science and Engineering, Special Issue - Best of Respect 2015, 2016, pp. 18—28. [bib]
conference papers
2018
[7]Introducing the Computer Science Concept of Variables in Middle School Science Classrooms. Philip Sheridan Buffum, Kimberly Michelle Ying, Xiaoxi Zheng, Kristy Elizabeth Boyer, Eric N. Wiebe, Bradford W. Mott, David C. Blackburn, James C. Lester. Proceedings of the 49th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE), Baltimore, Maryland, 2018, pp. 906-911. [bib]
2017
[6]Deconstructing the Discussion Forum: Student Questions and Computer Science Learning. Mickey Vellukunnel, Philip Sheridan Buffum, Kristy Elizabeth Boyer, Jeffrey Forbes, Sarah Heckman, Ketan Mayer-Patel. Proceedings of the 48th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE), Seattle, Washington, 2017, pp. 603-608. [bib]
2016
[5]Empowering All Students: Closing the CS Confidence Gap with an In-School Initiative for Middle School Students. Philip Sheridan Buffum, Megan Hardy Frankosky, Kristy Elizabeth Boyer, Eric N. Wiebe, Bradford W. Mott, James C. Lester. Proceedings of the 47th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE), 2016, pp. 382-387. [bib]
2015
[4]Leveraging Collaboration to Improve Gender Equity in a Game-based Learning Environment for Middle School Computer Science. Philip Sheridan Buffum, Megan Hardy Frankosky, Kristy Elizabeth Boyer, Eric N. Wiebe, Bradford W. Mott, James C. Lester. RESPECT - IEEE Special Technical Community on Broadening Participation, Charlotte, North Carolina, 2015, pp. 1-8. [bib]
[3]Mind the Gap: Improving Gender Equity in Game-based Learning Environments with Learning Companions. Philip Sheridan Buffum, Kristy Elizabeth Boyer, Eric N. Wiebe, Bradford W. Mott, James C. Lester. Proceedings of the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Education, Madrid, Spain, 2015, pp. 64-73. [bib]
[2]A Practical Guide to Developing and Validating Computer Science Knowledge Assessments with Application to Middle School. Philip Sheridan Buffum, Eleni V. Lobeni, Megan Hardy Frankosky, Kristy Elizabeth Boyer, Eric N. Wiebe, James C. Lester. Proceedings of the 46th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE), Kansas City, MO, 2015, pp. 622-627. [bib]
2014
[1]CS Principles Goes to Middle School: Learning How to Teach "Big Data". Philip Sheridan Buffum, Allison G. Martínez-Arocho, Megan Hardy Frankosky, Fernando J. Rodríguez, Eric N. Wiebe, Kristy Elizabeth Boyer. Proceedings of the 45th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE), Atlanta, Georgia, 2014, pp. 151-156. [bib]
posters
2015
[3]Leveraging Narrative Interactivity to Foster Computer Science Identities. Philip Sheridan Buffum. Proceedings of the 11th ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research - ICER '15, Omaha, Nebraska, 2015, pp. 247-248. [bib]
[2]Examining the Impact Narrative Interactivity Has on Fostering Identity Formation in an Educational Game. Philip Sheridan Buffum. Proceedings of the Second ACM SIGCHI Annual Symposium on Computer-Human Interaction in Play - CHI PLAY '15, 2015, pp. 395-398. [bib]
2014
[1]Developing a Game-Based Learning Curriculum for "Big Data" in Middle School. Allison G. Martínez-Arocho, Philip Sheridan Buffum, Kristy Elizabeth Boyer. Proceedings of the 45th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE), Atlanta, Georgia, 2014, pp. 712-712. [bib]