Focuses on identifying the educational effects of "activity oriented" instructional techniques. Examines which instructional methods produce enhanced learning and comprehension. Discusses the problem of learning "sorting algorithms," a major topic in every Computer Science curriculum. Presents a low-tech, hands-on teaching method for sorting…

Reports on a decline in computer-science faculty despite rising student enrollments of computer-science majors. The faculty decline is ascribed to increasing jobs competition from industry and a decline in the number of doctorates being awarded in computer science and computer engineering. (DB)

A 32-item self-efficacy scale for computer programming was developed, primed to the C++ programming language. The scale was administered to 421 students at the beginning and end of an introductory course in C++ programming. There was growth in self-efficacy between two administrations of the scale 12 weeks apart, particularly for students who…

Describes a program at Fontbonne College (Missouri) by the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science and Office of Multicultural Affairs that identified eight high-risk, first- and second-year students and matched them with four alumni mentors as part of a one-credit career management course. Evaluation showed improved academic performance…

Presents an interview with Jeff Hawkins, creator of the Palm Pilot technology. Hawkins discusses his interest in neurobiology and how it has shaped and will shape the technology he designs. (WRM)

Analyzed women's enrollment levels in mathematics, engineering, and computer science in Canadian universities and the change in these levels between 1972 and 1995. Found vastly different patterns of enrollment in the three disciplines (for example, computer science enrollment did not increase at all during the studied period), suggesting that…

Examines changes in experience and confidence among university students in Iceland taking their first Internet course between 1994 and 2000. Discusses results of time series that show that the number of participants with prior experience has increased and makes recommendations for course content, including advanced skills in Internet use.…

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)

Students in a computer applications (CA) course (n=74) and business information systems (BIS) course (n=69) displayed no differences in motivation. The BIS group used rehearsal and organization learning strategies, the CA group help-seeking and effort regulation. In CA, intrinsic goal orientation and self-efficacy were related to grades. In BIS,…

Describes different conceptual foundations and orientations of the two major approaches to metadata: bibliographic-control approach (origins and major proponents in library science); and data-management approach (origins and major proponents in computer science). Examination of efforts to establish metadata standards and comparison of different…

A "professor librarian" at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Cortland discusses the origins of her dual role; evolving and morphing roles; technology instruction in library education; reasons that librarians make ideal teachers of computer applications; problems with and benefits of the librarian as professor; and future…

Uses the perspectives of sociology and computer science to compare face-to-face (f2f) and computer-mediated communications (CMC) from the viewpoint of their respective abilities to form and sustain communities. Identifies a third type of community--a hybrid--that is based on a combination of f2f and CMC or offline and online communications. (AEF)

Group projects in computer science are normally delivered with reference to good software engineering practice. The discipline of software engineering is rapidly evolving, and the application of the latest 'agile techniques' to group projects causes a potential conflict with constraints imposed by regulating bodies on the computer science…

Laptops helped two faculty members adapt a highly challenging, critical computer science course to increasing enrollment. Among the course enhancements the technology made possible were daily quizzes, animation-based demonstrations and exercises, and more authentic assessment. (Contains 2 tables.)

Solving problems by reduction is an important issue in mathematics and science education in general (both in high school and in college or university) and particularly in computer science education. Developing reductive thinking patterns is an important goal in any scientific discipline, yet reduction is not an easy subject to cope with. Still,…