My research area is computing education. The main goal of my work has been improving the student experience in computing courses and degree programs. I am interested in how the study of computing prior to coming to university impacts students as they continue on their educational careers. I am interested in tools, techniques, and pedagogies to improve the teaching of introductory programming (CS1-CS2). My current work in this area brings in techniques from educational psychology (worked examples and subgoal labeling) into the introductory classroom to improve student understanding of introductory concepts. I have just begun a project that looks at learning for intermediate computing students at the university level. I am interested in issues of assessment and evaluation in computing education in general, and in the introductory courses specifically. I have done work in and continue to be interested in the history of computing, computing education, and computer games.

• Decker, A., Eiselt, K., Payton, J., Barnes, T., and Thiruvathukal, G.K. (Eds.) (2016) Proceedings of the 2016 Research on Equity and Sustained Participation in Engineering, Computing, and Technology (RESPECT). IEEE, New York, NY, USA.
• Decker, A., Eiselt, K., Alphonce, C., and Tims, J. (Eds.) (2015) Proceedings of the 46th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. ACM, New York, NY, USA.
• Dougherty, J.D., Nagel, K., Decker, A. and Eiselt, K. (Eds.) (2014) Proceedings of the 45th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education. ACM, New York, NY, USA.

(2019 to Present)

• Decker, A., Egert, C., Cascioli, E. (2020) “Cohorting Incoming Students in a CS1 Course: Experiences and Reflections from the First Year of Implementation”, Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges, 35:8, 186-196, https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.5555/3417639.3417656.
• Margulieux, L.E., Morrison, B.B., and Decker. A. (2020) “Reducing Withdrawal and Failure Rates in Introductory Programming with Subgoal Labeled Worked Examples”, International Journal of STEM Education, 7:19, 16 pages, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-020-00222-7. (cited by: 60)
• Morrison, B. B., Margulieux, L. E. & Decker, A. (2020) “The curious case of loops”, Computer Science Education.  30, 28 pages, DOI: 10.1080/08993408.2019.1707544
• Decker. A., and McGill, M.M., (2019) “A Systematic Review Exploring the Differences in Reported Data for Pre-College Educational Activities for Computer Science, Engineering, and other STEM Discipline”, Educational Sciences. 9(2), 69; https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci9020069
•  Margulieux, L., Ayer Ketenci, T., and Decker. A. (2019) “Review of Measurements Used in Computing Education Research and Suggestions for Increasing Standardization”, Computer Science Education. 29:1, 49-78, DOI: 10.1080/08993408.2018.1562145. (acceptance rate: 16%, cited by: 66)

• Phelps, A., Egert, C. A., and Decker. A. (2019) “Splattershmup: A Game of Art & Motion” In K. Schrier (Ed.), Learning, Education & Games: 100 Games to Use in the Classroom. ETC Press.
• Decker, A., Phelps, A., and Egert, C. A. (2017) “Trial by a Many-Colored Flame: A Multi-Disciplinary, Community-Centric Approach to Digital Media and Computing Education” In Fee, S., Holland-Minkley, A. and Lombardi T. (Eds.), New Directions for Computing Education: Embedding Computing Across Disciplines. Springer.
• McGill, M.M., Decker, A. and Settle, A. (2014) “A Framework for Addressing Gender Imbalance in the Game Industry through Outreach” In Prescott, J. and McGurren, J. (Eds.), Gender Considerations and Influence in the Digital Media and Gaming Industry. IGI Global.

(2019 to Present)

• Mackay, S., Eiselt, K., and Decker, A. “Two Sides of the Same Coin: Differing Approaches to Generative AI in Two Computer Science Classrooms”, Frontiers in Education 2024 (accepted – in press).
• Edwards, S., Pérez Quiñones, M., Decker, A., Edmison, B., Rorrer, A., and Shukla, A.* “Early Experiences with Specifications Grading in Intro CS Courses”, Frontiers in Education 2024 (accepted – in press).
• Mackay, S., McSkimming, B. M., and Decker, A. “Interview Iterations and Improvements for Identifying Intermediate Computer Science Threshold Concepts” Frontiers in Education 2024 (accepted – in press).
• Bodnar, C., Chavela Guerra, R., Decker, A., Matusovich, H., and Purzer, S. “Insights from a Multi-Institutional Virtual Engineering Education Graduate Program Showcase”, Proceedings of 2024 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, June 2024, (accepted – in press).
• Bonnette, R., Abramovich, S., Fabiano, G., Decker, A., Sullivan, V.⁺ and Alexandre, H.⁺ (2024) “Alignment and Misalignment: Critical Differences in the Way That Instructors and Students Perceive Support for Neurodiversity in Undergraduate Computer Science Education”, 6^th Annual Neurodiversity at Work Research Conference, May 30-31, 2024, College Park, MD, USA. https://ndatworkresearch.org/papers/NWRC24_paper_23.pdf
• Decker, A., Edwards, S., McSkimming, B., Edmison, B., Rorrer, A. and Pérez Quiñones, M. (2024) “Transforming Grading Practices in the Computing Education Community”, Proceedings of the 55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education V. 1 (SIGCSE 2024), ACM, March 20-23, 2024. Portland, OR, USA, pp. 276-282. (acceptance rate: 32%) [BEST PAPER – Position and Curricula Initiatives]
• McGill, M., Tise, J., and Decker, A. (2024) “Piloting a Diagnostic Tool to Measure AP CS Principles Teachers' Knowledge Against CSTA Teacher Standard 1”, SIGCSE Technical Symposium of Computer Science Education 2024 (accepted – in press). Proceedings of the 55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education V. 1 (SIGCSE 2024), ACM, March 20-23, 2024. Portland, OR, USA, pp. 819-825. (acceptance rate: 32%)
• McSkimming, B.M., Mackay, S.*, Decker A. (2023) “Identification of Threshold Concepts for Intermediate Computer Science Students”, Proceedings of the 2023 Frontiers in Education Conference, October 2023, College Station, TX, USA, pp. 1-5.
• Smith, J.M., McGill, M., Decker A. (2023) “An Examination of Empirical Evidence Produced by a Decade of K-12 Computer Science Education Research”, Proceedings of the 2023 Frontiers in Education Conference, October 2023, College Station, TX, USA, pp. 1-8.
• Decker, A., and McGill, M. (2023) “Centering K-8 CS Teachers’ Experiences During a Day of Dialogue for Teachers and Researchers”, Proceedings of 2023 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, June 2023, Baltimore, MD, USA, 12 pages.
• Bonnette, R., Abramovich, S., Decker, A., and Fabiano, G. (2023) “Building Belonging for Multiply Marginalized Neurodivergent Students in STEM Higher Education”, Proceedings of ISLS Annual Meeting 2023, June 2023, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, pp. 870-873.
• McSkimming, B.M., Decker A. (2021) “Investigating the usage of Likert-style items within Computer Science Education Research Instruments”, Proceedings of the 2021 Frontiers in Education Conference, October 2021, Lincoln, NE, USA, pp. 1-8.
• Xavier, J., McGill, M., Decker, A. (2020) “Designing and Developing a Resource Center for Primary and Secondary Computing Education Researchers”, Proceedings of the 2020 Frontiers in Education Conference, October, 2020, Uppsala, Sweden, pp. 1-9.
• Mackay, S., Decker, A. (2020) “Updating our Understanding of the Impact of Pre-College Computing Experiences on University Students”, Proceedings of the 2020 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference, October, 2020, Uppsala, Sweden, pp. 1-5.
• McGill, M., Decker, A. (2020) “Construction of a Taxonomy for Tools, Languages, and Environments across Computing Education”, Proceedings of the fifteenth annual International Conference on International Computing Education Research (ICER '20), ACM, August, 2020. Dunedin, New Zealand, pp. 124-135. (acceptance rate: 23%)
• McGill, M., Decker, A. (2020) “Tools, Languages, and Environments Used in Primary and Secondary Computing Education”, Proceedings of the 2020 ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE '20), ACM, June 17-19, 2020. Trondheim, Norway, pp. 103-109. (acceptance rate: 28% - cited by: 30)
• McGill, M., Decker, A. (2020) “A Gap Analysis of Statistical Data Reporting in K-12 Computing Education Research: Recommendations for Improvement”, Proceedings of the 51^st SIGCSE Technical Symposium of Computer Science Education, ACM, March 11-14, 2020. Portland, OR, USA, pp. 591-597. (acceptance rate: 31%)
• Upadhyaya, B., McGill, M.M., Decker, A. (2020) “A Longitudinal Analysis of K-12 Computing Education Research in the United States: Implications and Recommendations for Change”, Proceedings of the 51^st SIGCSE Technical Symposium of Computer Science Education, ACM, March 11-14, 2020. Portland, OR, USA, pp. 605-611. (acceptance rate: 31% - cited by: 32)
• Maxim, B.R., Decker, A., Yackley, J.J. (2019) “Student Engagement in Active Learning Software Engineering Courses”, Proceedings of the 2019 Frontiers in Education Conference, October 16-19, 2019, Cincinnati, OH, USA, 5 pages.
• Decker, A., Margulieux, L.E., Morrison, B.B. (2019) “Using the SOLO Taxonomy to Understand Subgoal Labels Effect on Problem Solving Processes in CS1”, Proceedings of the fifteenth annual International Conference on International Computing Education Research (ICER '19), ACM, August 12-14, 2019, Toronto, ONT, Canada, pp. 209-217. (acceptance rate: 20%)
• Margulieux, L.E., Morrison, B.B., Decker, A. (2019) “Design and Pilot Testing of Subgoal Labeled Worked Examples for Five Core Concepts in CS1”, Proceedings of the 2019 ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE '19). ACM, July 15-17, 2019, Aberdeen, Scotland, UK, 548-554. (acceptance rate: 27% - cited by: 29)
• Decker, A., McGill, M. (2019) “A Topical Review of Evaluation Instruments for Computing Education”, Proceedings of the 50^th SIGCSE Technical Symposium of Computer Science Education, ACM, February 27-March 2, 2019, Minneapolis, MN, 558-564. (acceptance rate: 32% - cited by: 37)
• McGill, M., Decker, A., Haynie, K., and McKlin, T. (2019) “A Gap Analysis of Noncognitive Constructs in Evaluation Instruments Designed for Computing Education”, Proceedings of the 50^th SIGCSE Technical Symposium of Computer Science Education, ACM, February 27-March 2, 2019, Minneapolis, MN, 706-712. (acceptance rate: 32% - cited by: 21)

• Cigas, J., Czajka, S., Decker, A., Martin, R.G., Coutts, R., Furman, C., McDonough, D., Milverton, A., Spaulding, E., Thurber, A. (2020) “AP Computer Science A Course and Exam Description” https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/pdf/ap-computer-science-a-course-and-exam-description.pdf.
• Blaheta, D., Campbell, A., Decker, A., Feinberg, D., Gallagher, T., Hatfield, B., Henrichsen, C., Hu, H., Marghitu, D., Miller, S., Mitchell, J., Mohammadi, M., Morrison, B., Pieritz, J., Samuels, B., Schultz, R., Small, S., Wainwright, L., Wayne, K., Klipp, D., Klag, D., VanBilliard, J., Chen, S., Muller, S., Lorenz, C., Roman, M., Fox, A., McDonough, D., Tabony, N., Kopelman, D., Thurber, A. (2025) “AP Computer Science A Course and Exam Description – Preview Revised Course Framework” https://apcentral.collegeboard.org/media/pdf/ap-computer-science-a-revised-framework-preview.pdf