Computing courses struggle to retain introductory students, especially as learner demographics have expanded to include more diverse majors, backgrounds, and career interests. Motivational contexts for these courses must extend beyond short-term interest to empower students and connect to learners' long-term goals, while maintaining a scaffolded experience. To solve ongoing problems such as student retention, methods should be explored that can engage and motivate students. I propose Data Science as an introductory context that can appeal to a wide range of learners. To test this hypothesis, my work uses two educational theories — the MUSIC Model of Academic Motivation and Situated Learning Theory — to evaluate different components of a student's learning experience for their contribution to the student's motivation. I analyze existing contexts that are used in introductory computing courses, such as game design and media computation, and their limitations in regard to educational theories. I also review how Data Science has been used as a context, and its associated affordances and barriers. Next, I describe two research projects that make it simple to integrate Data Science into introductory classes. The first project, RealTimeWeb, was a prototypical exploration of how real-time web APIs could be scaffolded into introductory projects and problems. RealTimeWeb evolved into the CORGIS Project, an extensible framework populated by a diverse collection of freely available "Pedagogical Datasets" designed specifically for novices. These datasets are available in easy-to-use libraries for multiple languages, various file formats, and also through accessible web-based tools. While developing these datasets, I identified and systematized a number of design issues, opportunities, and concepts involved in the preparation of Pedagogical Datasets. With the completed technology, I staged a number of interventions to evaluate Data Science as an introductory context and to better understand the relationship between student motivation and course outcomes. I present findings that show evidence for the potential of a Data Science context to motivate learners. While I found evidence that the course content naturally has a stronger influence on course outcomes, the course context is a valuable component of the course's learning experience. / Ph. D.

In this thesis, I discuss how the undergraduate computer scientist is trained, and how they learn what I am calling computational intuition. Computational intuition describes the methodology in which computer scientists approach their problems and solve them through the use of computers. Computational intuition is a series of skills and a way of thinking or approaching problems that students learn throughout their education. The main way that computational intuition is taught to students is through the experience they gain as they work on homework and classwork problems. To develop computational intuition, students learn explicit knowledge and techniques as well as knowledge that is tacit and harder to teach within the lectures of a classroom environment. Computational intuition includes concepts that professors and students discuss which include “computer science intuition,” “computational thinking,” general problem solving skills or heuristics, and trained judgement. This way of learning is often social, and I draw on the pedagogy of cognitive apprenticeship to understand the interactions between the professors, tutors, and other students help learners gain an understanding of the “computer science intuition.” It is this method of thinking that computer scientists at the Claremont Colleges have stated as being one of the most essential items that should be taught and gained throughout their education and signals a wider understanding of computer science as a field.

Approved for public release, distribution is unlimited / This thesis addresses the need to create a flexible laboratory environment for teaching network security. For educators to fully realize the benefit of such a facility, proto-type exercise scenarios are also needed. The paper is based on a model laboratory created at the Naval Postgraduate School. The initial configuration of the NPS lab is described. The work then develops a list of learning objectives achievable in the RCEL. Six proto-type cyber-exercise scenarios are presented to supplement the RCEL description. The activities within each potential scenario are described. The learning objectives met during each scenario are shown. This work demonstrates how a variety of potential RCEL exercises can supplement traditional information assurance education delivery techniques. / Civilian, Federal Cyber Services Corps, Naval Postgraduate School

Physical-Computing-Geräten wie Robotern und Mikrocontrollern wird eine wichtige Rolle als Lernmedium für Schülerinnen und Schüler zugesprochen. Zu lernende Kontexte sind ähnlich vielfältig wie die inzwischen existierenden Geräte. Die Komplexität der Systeme ist mannigfaltig und bisherige Forschung geht zumeist von dem Gerät als Forschungsgegenstand aus. Im Rahmen dieser Dissertation wird von einem geräteunabhängigen Physical- Computing-Prozess als Problemlöseprozess ausgegangen, um ein Fundament für nachhaltige und geräteunabhängige Forschung zu schaffen sowie Physical Computing als Unterrichtsgegenstand zu beschreiben. Aufgrund von Merkmalen, wie der Arbeit mit Sensorik und Aktuatorik sowie dem iterativen Testen und Evaluieren, scheint Physical Computing Ähnlichkeiten zu dem naturwissenschaftlichen Experiment aufzuweisen. Dieser Zusammenhang und die potentiellen Auswirkungen auf die Informatikdidaktik werden in den folgenden drei Ausprägungsformen untersucht. Basierend auf Modellen aus der Literatur wird ein Modell des Physical-Computing- Prozesses abgeleitet und mithilfe empirischer Studien adaptiert. Bei dem Vergleich der Prozesse der wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnisgewinnung und des Physical Computing können diverse Gemeinsamkeiten festgestellt werden. Insbesondere verlaufen die Prozesse parallel zueinander, was die Grundlage für einen MINT-Problemlöseprozess bildet. Bislang wurden konkrete Probleme von Schülerinnen und Schülern bei der Interaktion mit den Geräten peripher beschrieben. In dieser Arbeit wird eine Analyse von Problemursachen vorgenommen und auftretende Probleme werden kategorisiert. Probleme, die gleichzeitig mehrere Problemursachen haben, werden aufgedeckt und eine Problemtaxonomie zur Beschreibung von Problemursachen abgeleitet. Ein mehrstufiges Feedback-Modell zur Unterstützung des Problemlösens in Physical- Computing-Aktivitäten wird basierend auf der Problemtaxonomie entwickelt. Durch eine empirische Untersuchung wird es als unterstützend für den Physical-Computing-Prozess evaluiert und bildet damit ein Modell zur Entwicklung von kognitiven Tutorensystemen für Physical Computing. / Physical computing devices like robots and microcontrollers play an important role as learning devices for students. These devices as well as the learning contexts are multifaceted. The complexities of the systems are diverse and the existing research is usually concentrated on the devices. This thesis develops as a starting point a device-independent physical computing process by seeing it as problem-solving process. The goal is to construct a base for sustained and device-independent physical computing research and to describe physical computing as a school subject. The physical computing process seems to share similarities with the scientific inquiry process, because of characteristics like working with sensors and actuators and iterativ testing and evaluating. This relation and the implications on computer science education are explored in the following three facets. Based on existing literature, a model of the physical computing process is derived and supplemented by empirical data. In the comparison of the scientific inquiry and the physical computing processes substantial commonalities are identified. Hence, a base for a joint STEM problem-solving process is built. So far, concrete students’ problems during the activities with physical computing devices are described as a side product. In this thesis problem sources are uncovered and occurring problems categorized. Problems having more than one problem source are uncovered and a problem taxonomy is derived from that. Based on the problem taxonomy, a multilevel feedback model to support problem solving during physical computing activities is developed. With an empirical exploration, the taxonomy is evaluated. Results indicate that the taxonomy is supportive for achieving the physical computing process. Finally a model for a cognitive tutoring system for physical computing is outlined.

The aim of my study is to investigate if and in that case how the writing process and texts written by students in the upper secondary school are affected by the writing tool; does it matter if they write their texts on a computer or by longhand? Another objective is to compare such an effect with the findings of previous studies performed on earlier generations of writers. The first part of my study was a survey. It showed that two thirds of the 67 students participating thought that they would have written better texts in the national writing test if they had been able to use computers. In the second part of the study each of the fourteen participants wrote one text on computer and another by hand. Unlike the findings of earlier studies that I compared with, these students had a higher writing speed and spent significantly less time to produce their texts. This result could indicate that the students of today not only are accustomed to computers but also are unfamiliar with writing by hand. Furthermore this study, like previous studies, did not show any statistic proof of a correlation between a specific writing tool and the quality of the written text. Hence it did not support the opinion that the students of today have a disadvantage when they have to write their national test by hand. On the other hand the study indicated that such disadvantage still could be the fact for some individuals. Three of the participants took part in the third part of the study where they produced two more texts; one by hand and the other on computer. Their writing processes were recorded and the analyses indicate an individual variation in whether the writing tool had an effect on the writing process and quality of texts. / Syftet med min undersökning är att undersöka om och i så fall hur gymnasieelevers skrivprocesser och texter påverkas av om de skriver för hand eller på dator, men också att jämföra en eventuell påverkan med den som har konstaterats för tidigare generationer av datoranvändare. Bakgrundsenkäten i den första delundersökningen visade att två tredjedelar av de 67 elever trodde att de skulle ha skrivit bättre texter på det nationella provet i svenska om de hade fått använda dator. I den andra delundersökningen medverkade fjorton av gymnasieeleverna genom att skriva två texter, en för hand och en på dator. Ett resultat som skilde sig från dem i de tidigare studier jag jämförde med var att deltagarna skrev snabbare och under kortare tid när de använde dator. Resultatet tyder på att dagens gymnasieelever inte bara är datorvana utan kanske också ovana att skriva för hand. I likhet med tidigare undersökningar visade delundersökningen inte en statistiskt signifikant kvalitetsskillnad mellan deltagarnas datorskrivna och handskrivna texter. Gymnasieelevernas farhågor om att textkvaliteten skulle ha försämrats av att de tvingades skriva det nationella provet för hand fick därmed inget stöd. Samtidigt visade studien att för enskilda individer skulle det faktiskt kunna förhålla sig så. Tre av deltagarna medverkade även i den tredje delundersökningen, där deras skrivprocesser dokumenterades i samband med att de skrev ytterligare en text på dator och en för hand. Resultatet av den andra delundersökningen pekar mot att skrivverktygets påverkan på skrivprocessen och även på texternas kvalitet skulle kunna variera från person till person.

The purpose of the study was to investigate the current status and competencies of CEIT graduates working in IT firms from the employers&rsquo / point of view. In addition, the cases were evaluated to see whether the graduates have gained competency in their undergraduate education or while working for the firms. In the end the main goal was to identify how well CEIT departments are preparing students for professional practice. The participants of this study were thirteen employers of CEIT graduates working in IT firms in a technopolis. A mixed methods research approach including both quantitative and qualitative research methods was employed as the primary method in order to reach the purpose of this study. Within the scope of this mixed method study, firstly, the quantitative technique was employed in which the data were gathered through a questionnaire to examine the competencies of CEIT graduates. Then, the qualitative part of the study was employed through a follow-up semi-structured interview to confirm and complement the quantitative findings. According to the results of this study, CEIT graduates are average competent at pedagogical, technical and communcation issues. They are more competent within communication and teamwork, and least competent within technical issues according to the employers.

Educational institutions are known to be at the heart of complex computing systems in any region in which they exist, especially in Africa. The existence of high end computing power, often connected to the Internet and to research network grids, makes educational institutions soft targets for attackers. Attackers of such networks are normally either looking to exploit the large computing resources available for use in secondary attacks or to steal Intellectual Property (IP) from the research networks to which the institutions belong. Universities also store a lot of information about their current students and staff population as well as alumni ranging from personal to financial information. Unauthorized access to such information violates statutory requirement of the law and could grossly tarnish the institutions name not to mention cost the institution a lot of money during post-incident activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate the information security practices that have been put in place by Research and Education Network of Uganda (RENU) member institutions to safeguard institutional data and systems from both internal and external security threats. The study was conducted on six member institutions in three phases, between the months of May and July 2011 in Uganda. Phase One involved the use of a customised quantitative questionnaire tool. The tool - originally developed by information security governance task-force of EDUCAUSE - was customised for use in Uganda. Phase Two involved the use of a qualitative interview guide in a sessions between the investigator and respondents. Results show that institutions rely heavily on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) systems and services and that all institutions had already acquired more than three information systems and had acquired and implemented some of the cutting edge equipment and systems in their data centres. Further results show that institutions have established ICT departments although staff have not been trained in information security. All institutions interviewed have ICT policies although only a few have carried out policy sensitization and awareness campaigns for their staff and students. / TeX

Title: Computer Science Education at Grammar Schools Author: Daniel Lessner Department: Department of Software and Computer Science Education Supervisor: RNDr. Tomáš Holan, Ph.D., Department of Software and Computer Science Education Abstract: Computer science is not a required component of general education in Czechia. The lack of published local experience impedes the search for general agreement in basic questions, such as: Is computer science in general education possible? Is it beneficial? What educational goals should it have, what topics should it cover? The goal of this thesis is to offer empirically verified answers to these questions, considering grammar school level (students 15-18 years old) in Czechia. A set of fundamental ideas of computer science has been identified and used to develop an introductory course. The course was repeatedly tested, evaluated and improved, following the design-based research methodology. The level of students' achieve- ments as well as their own view of the novel approach to teach "informatics" was tracked. Contrary to the widely held belief (in Czechia), it turned out that computer science in general secondary education is possible and beneficial for the students, as long as the level of difficulty and specific goals are chosen appro- priately. The course is...

This diploma work deals with the program Cabri II Plus and its opportunities as for the application into the lessons of Physics at elementary and high schools, grammar schools and also into particular seminars at colleges with a study program focused on the applied science (statitcs). This work is aimed mainly for tutors as a mean of both efficiency and students engagement enhancement. For these particular purposes the set of sample assignments has been created. The contribution of the work will be examined right within the lessons of Physics at L. Kuba Elementary School in České Budějovice and in particular seminars at the Department of Applied Physics and Technics at the Faculty of Education at the University of South Bohemia.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:51Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2004-10-27Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:52:40Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 mussolini_af_me_rcla.pdf: 306703 bytes, checksum: 2844e21933fc8c32b8ed7b5f32ed2d19 (MD5) / Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) / Esta pesquisa trata da Formação Inicial de Professores de Matemática, em particular sobre o uso de tecnologia informática. Sabendo da problemática existente nos cursos de graduação, como, por exemplo, a desarticulação entre teoria e prática, entre formação universitária e realidade escolar, deteve-se na seguinte questão: Quais são as perspectivas, expectativas e dificuldades que os futuros professores apresentam quando refletem sobre uma prática educativa utilizando planilhas eletrônicas na escola básica?. A pesquisa contou com a participação de dois futuros professores de Matemática da UNESP de Rio Claro. Foram realizados três encontros de planejamento, dez encontros de intervenção em uma escola pública, e dez encontros de reflexão, que ocorreram sempre após cada intervenção. Os licenciandos tiveram a oportunidade de expor suas idéias sobre as experiências realizadas e, a partir de uma análise à luz do referencial teórico, foram extraindo temas que se referem às suas expectativas, perspectivas e dificuldades. Entre eles, a gestão da sala de aula e a transposição de conteúdo, a complexidade da sala de aula, como eles percebem os alunos, as condições de trabalho na escola, ser professor e o uso de tecnologia informática. / This research addresses the pre-service mathematics teacher education, in particular their practice with computer. Considering the problems concerning teacher education courses - as, for instance, the disarticulation between the theory and the practice, and between the university education and the school reality - it was formulated the following research question: What are the perspectives, expectations and difficulties that the future teachers experience when they reflect on an educational practice using spreadsheets at the basic school? The research was developed in collaboration with two future mathematics teachers from UNESP at Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil. It was organized three planning meetings, ten intervention meetings in a public school, and ten reflection meeting, that always took place right after each intervention meeting. The reflection meetings were videoed and transcribed. The data were analyzed with reference to the literature. Themes were identified that could be referred to their expectation, perspectives, and difficulties. These themes included: the teaching in the classroom and the transposition of the contents; the complexity of the classroom environment; the interaction with the students; the school working conditions; being a teacher; and the use of computers.