A Baseline Study on Responsible Computing Integration in Computing Courses: A Case Study of Dedan Kimathi University of Technology

Abstract

This study investigates the state of Responsible Computing (RC) education in the computing curriculum at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT). The increasing impact of technology on society necessitates a comprehensive understanding of ethical considerations among computing professionals. A formative survey was conducted among second-year computing students, revealing insights into their exposure to RC topics, perceptions of RC integration, and awareness of industry initiatives. The results indicate a positive trend regarding RC topics (61.7%), yet uncertainty exists regarding their integration into current taught units (51.7%). Participants express a strong desire for the inclusion of RC in university units (95.0%) and active participation in projects supporting RC (98.3%). However, awareness gaps about industry initiatives, such as Mozilla's support for RC (56.7%), and a predominant use of traditional teaching methods underscore challenges in curriculum structure and communication channels. The study recommends standardizing RC integration, diversifying teaching methods, and strengthening academic-industry connections to produce ethically sound computing professionals.