Brave New World: Can We Engineer a Better Start for Freshers?

Abstract - The crucial importance of first experiences in shaping future success has been widely acknowledged. Creating the best foundations in large cohorts of students from diverse backgrounds presents special problems of its own. But a secure foundation can enhance student achievement and improve retention – and the students may even have fun too. Research has suggested that building learning communities can enhance student engagement and achievement. This paper examines how introducing non-technical activities can establish sound foundations for a university career by a) addressing objectives in the wider curriculum and b) promoting non-technical skills and experience of group working. A set of changes introduced to five degree cohorts in our academic school were designed to complement enhancements to our technical curriculum introduced during many years of debate and consideration. The changes have impacted upon generic and technical educational experiences. The paper presents an evaluation of the programme of changes through two iterations from the perspective of both faculty and student

Evolution of computer science degrees at science school : University of Buenos Aires (FCEN-UBA)

This paper shows the evolution of the Computador Científico (Computer Scientist) undergraduate program of the University of Buenos Aires Science School, and how it evolve into Licenciado en Ciencias de la Computación (Computer Science Degree). The original curriculum content is shown, the attempts to modify the program are explained and finally a comparison is made between the early program and the beginnings of the Computer Science Degree from 1983. This evolution is analyzed taken into account the development of new areas in CS and the argentinean political situation in this period.2nd IFIP Conference on the History of Computing and EducationRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Human resources education in computing at Simón Bolívar University, Venezuela : 1972 to 1985

In this work we describe the efforts of the Computing Coordination at Simón Bolívar University, Venezuela, for forming Human Recourses in Computing at graduate and postgraduate levels in the years from 1972 to 1985. We also consider the background given by the Scientific Computer Program at the Calculus Institute, Buenos Aires University, that begun in 1962 and by the Computation Licentiate Program at Science Faculty, Venezuelan Central University, that begun in 1967. We close considering the impact that programs and professors from Simón Bolívar University have at national and regional levels.2nd IFIP Conference on the History of Computing and EducationRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Evolution of computer science degrees at science school : University of Buenos Aires (FCEN-UBA)

This paper shows the evolution of the Computador Científico (Computer Scientist) undergraduate program of the University of Buenos Aires Science School, and how it evolve into Licenciado en Ciencias de la Computación (Computer Science Degree). The original curriculum content is shown, the attempts to modify the program are explained and finally a comparison is made between the early program and the beginnings of the Computer Science Degree from 1983. This evolution is analyzed taken into account the development of new areas in CS and the argentinean political situation in this period.2nd IFIP Conference on the History of Computing and EducationRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Human resources education in computing at Simón Bolívar University, Venezuela : 1972 to 1985

In this work we describe the efforts of the Computing Coordination at Simón Bolívar University, Venezuela, for forming Human Recourses in Computing at graduate and postgraduate levels in the years from 1972 to 1985. We also consider the background given by the Scientific Computer Program at the Calculus Institute, Buenos Aires University, that begun in 1962 and by the Computation Licentiate Program at Science Faculty, Venezuelan Central University, that begun in 1967. We close considering the impact that programs and professors from Simón Bolívar University have at national and regional levels.2nd IFIP Conference on the History of Computing and EducationRed de Universidades con Carreras en Informática (RedUNCI

Final Examinations in Introductory Programming Courses

Antud bakalaureusetöös uuritakse, millised on erinevate programmeerimise algkursuste eksamid. Selleks antakse teaduskirjanduse põhjal ülevaade teemadest ja programmeerimiskeeltest, mida õpetatakse programmeerimise algkursustel. Seejärel tuuakse kirjandusest välja erinevad eksamites kasutatavad küsimuste liigid ning võrreldakse erinevaid eksami läbiviimise vorme. Bakalaureusetöö lõpus antakse ülevaade Tartu Ülikooli e-kursuse „Programmeerimise alused II“ lõpueksami teinud osalejate tagasisidest sooritatud eksami kohta.The purpose of this bachelor thesis is to research the final examinations of different introductory programming courses. Based on the academic literature, this thesis reports the concepts and programming languages taught in these courses. Furthermore, this thesis presents the different types of questions used in examinations and compares different forms of examinations. At the end of the thesis, the participants’ feedback about the examination in the University of Tartu online course “Introduction to Programming II” is presented

Maturation of Computer Science Research and Education at the University of Maryland: Evolution of the Department of Computer Science from 1979 through 2006

This report traces the evolution of the Department of Computer Science from 1979 through the end of 2006. In 1979 the department was growing, approaching over 2000 undergraduate majors. This report describes how this crush of students was handled, followed by other significant events in the history of the Department, such as the creation of the Institute for Advanced Computer Studies, moving into the A. V. Williams Building, creating its own computer laboratory, as well as the creation of various centers and institutes that helped further its growing research reputation. At the end of 2006, the Department had close to 50 faculty members, was nationally ranked, and was ranked one of the highest departments on the University of Maryland campus