Teaching CS50 at Oxford: Lessons for Computer Science Educators

This paper reflects on an educator’s experience of teaching Harvard University’s CS50: An Introduction to Computer Science, through Oxford University’s Department for Continuing Education (OUDCE). This paper evaluates CS50’s approach to delivering computer science education, which utilises a cloud version of Visual Studio Code, automated tests which provide instant feedback, and also a bespoke AI chatbot trained on course material to provide specific guidance. This paper also evidences observations in the form of quantitative data produced from teaching sessions and course completion statistics as well as empirical observations made in teaching sessions. It also reflects on adaptations made to teach the course via Oxford’s teaching format, the impact of automated formative feedback via test cases, as well as the benefits of collaboration between universities. Irrespective of teaching budgets or subscriptions to digital services, this paper highlights pedagogical design principles which improve understanding of programming and computer science topics.