[LINK] Research-Based Education in Computer Science, Canberra, 4 July 2007

[Tom Worthington]

Highly recommended seminar for anyone interested in university education:

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DCS SEMINAR SERIES

Research-Based Education in Computer Science at the ANU: Challenges 
and Opportunities
Peter Strazdins (DCS, ANU)
http://cecs.anu.edu.au/seminars/showone.pl?SID=463

DATE: 2007-06-04
TIME: 16:00:00 - 17:00:00
LOCATION: CSIT Seminar Room, N101

ABSTRACT:

In 2004, the Australian National University began a strategic shift 
in its coursework teaching programs, with the goal of orienting it 
towards what is termed research-led education. In this talk we will 
given an overview of the key ideas and literature on `research-led' 
(and more broadly `research-based' education. We will then address 
opportunities and challenges for this shift in the discipline of 
computer science. We will explore and evaluate current practices of 
research-based education. We will also examine staff and student 
attitudes and experiences in this area, identifying challenges and 
opportunities in creating an expanded and more coherent use of 
research-based education through the computer science curriculum.

The talk in particular will highlight perceptions and experiences of 
the PhB and BCS (Bachelor of Computer Science) degrees, which may be 
thought of flagships of this approach, and what lessons can be 
learned so far. Based on a number of student and staff interviews, it 
will also give a limited evaluation of relevant aspects of the BCS, 
including project courses and the `community' presented to the students.
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The notes from the first of this two part series by Peter "A Survey 
of 'Best Practice' in Computer Science Teaching" is available online, 
with extensive hypertext links to source documents: 
<http://cs.anu.edu.au/~Peter.Strazdins/seminars/BestPracticeCS.pdf>.

ps:  I found this seminar very useful in providing some intellectual 
underpinnings to what I have been doing with computer aided courses: 
<http://www.tomw.net.au/blog/2007/05/using-moodle-live-in-classroom.html>.



Tom Worthington FACS HLM tom.worthington at tomw.net.au Ph: 0419 496150
Director, Tomw Communications Pty Ltd            ABN: 17 088 714 309
PO Box 13, Belconnen ACT 2617                http://www.tomw.net.au/
Visiting Fellow, ANU      Blog: http://www.tomw.net.au/blog/atom.xml