An Engaging Introduction ToComputer Science

Making Our Students ThinkFor Themselves!

Computer Science Has A Severe Reputation Problem

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Wish list…

• Enthusiasm for the subject• Confident interactions with others• Asses themselves and other people• Challenge facts• Solve problems creatively

I am part of the problem

Greenfoot

Michael Kolling – University of Kent

DAY 1…

Real code

and it’s fun

Greenfoot

Michael Kolling – University of Kent

Does coursework in a foreign language make it easier

to be immersed in the new languageor

is immersion the only way to learn?

Projects to avoid...

• Calculating Pi or Fibonacci numbers

• Widget manufacturing• HR or Payroll Systems• Anything involving

companies called Acme or Northwind

• University student management systems

Barbara EricsonAnd

Mark Guzdial

Georgia Tech

Media Computation

Colour and Geometry

Contrast enhancement and image sharpening

Challenging maths!

Chromakey

Chicken on the moon

• Logic• Networks• Abstraction• The Internet• Algorithm design• Binary arithmetic• Software testing• Database design & SQL• Pictures, videos and

sound

Lecture

The process of transferring instructor’s notestostudent notebooks...

...without passing through the brains of either.

Eric Mazur – Havard

Peer Instruction In Physics Lectures

Eric Mazur – Havard

• 1 minute – pose the question• 2 minutes – think individually• Write the answer down on paper• Several minutes peer discussion• Share the solution

Start with silence

Outcomes…

• Students still regard the subject as ‘cool’.• They engage quickly with the course and often

exceed assignment requirements• They collaborate well in teams• Creative problem solving is a well developed habit

Thank you!

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