Discusses the need for people with object-oriented (OO) skills, explains benefits of OO in software development, and addresses some of the difficulties in teaching OO. Topics include the evolution of programming languages; differences between OO and traditional approaches; differences from data modeling; and Unified Modeling Language (UML) and…

Discussion of computing as a science and profession examines the chasm between computer scientists and users, barriers to the use and growth of computing, experimental computer science, computational science, software engineering, professional identity, professional practices, applications of technology, innovation, field boundaries, and…

Discussion of the relationship between the academic computing community and the practitioner community focuses on the possible separation of software engineering as a distinct discipline from computer science. Relationships between the content of software engineering and the content of computing are examined, and implications for computer science…

Examines the history of major achievements in computer science as portrayed by winners of the prestigious Turing award and identifies a possibly unique activity called Theory-Guided Technology (TGT). Researchers develop TGT by using theoretical results to create practical technology. Discusses reasons why TGT is practical in computer science and…

Designers of computer-based material are forced to express interactivity with concepts from the logical-mathematical paradigm of computer science. The results of three psychological experiments point to differences between the dominant paradigm and the subjects "intuitive" way of understanding interactive computer behavior, which shows…

A joint project involved students in the United States and Europe in cooperative design of computer software. The Internet-based project encountered some difficulties in scheduling, time difference, and lack of agreement on a programming language; however, the international cooperation was valued by participants. (SK)

Discusses whether machines can think in the same sense that humans think. Provides four conclusions based on axioms of differences between computer programs and human minds. Compares claims of strong and weak artificial intelligence. (YP)

Describes an assignment for an introductory computer science class that requires the student to write a software program that simulates an automated teller machine. Highlights include an algorithm for the assignment; sample file contents; language features used; assignment variations; and discussion points. (LRW)

Describes an automatic grading system for a formal methods computer science course that is able to evaluate a formal specification written in the Z language. Quality is measured by considering first, specification correctness (syntax, semantics, and satisfaction of customer requirements), and second, specification maintainability (comparison of…

Based on the idea that the current framework for organizing electronic data does not take advantage of the mind's ability to make connections among disparate pieces of information, several projects at universities around the country are taking new approaches to classification and storage of vast amounts of computerized data. The new systems take…

Traces the economic growth of embedded software in industrial products and explains that there is a shortage of engineers in this field. Proposes a different view of engineering education. (DDR)

Argues that the prevailing computer science orientation to data visualizations is severely limited for addressing usability concerns associated with supporting users in three critical problem areas: sophisticated visual literacy, complex data analysis, and new paradigms of visual inquiry. Argues that current object-oriented usability…

Describes Hyper Apuntes, an interactive learning environment developed at the University Carlos III of Madrid which teaches students the basic concepts of computer programming. Discusses results of an evaluation of the courseware that assessed its usability and utility and collected suggestions for improving the system. (Author/LRW)

Presents an approach to computer science teaching developed at the University of Warwick (England), in which students can choose different tools and techniques according to their needs and preferences; the approach allows the system to evolve with advances in technology. Describes the software designed for the automatic submission of assignments…

CPU SIM, an interactive low-level computer simulation package that runs on the Macintosh computer, is described. The program is designed for instructional use in the first or second year of undergraduate computer science, to teach various features of typical computer organization through hands-on exercises. (MSE)