1997 Workshop on Application of Peer Learning to the Introductory Computer Science Curriculum
An Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement Workshop Supported by the National Science Foundation
June 12-14, 1997
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA
Professor Craig Wills and the Computer Science Department at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) announces an Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement Workshop on the application of peer learning to the introductory (freshman/sophomore) Computer Science curriculum. Peer (or cooperative) learning has students working together as part of their own learning experience. Peer learning can take many forms. This is a follow-up workshop to one held in the Summer of 1996 on the same topic.The following describes the workshop and the overall project. An application form for the workshop is also available. Requests for additional information can be sent to peercs@cs.wpi.edu. This Web page and more information about the project can be found at http://cs.wpi.edu/~peercs.
BACKGROUND
A traditional classroom environment utilizing lectures and assignments done individually by students is an efficient medium for the transmission of factual knowledge, but is poorly suited to developing higher-level cognitive skills and increasing student motivation. This environment makes it easy for students to become isolated in courses and does not take advantage of peers working together.The thrust of this project is to attack problems faced by institutions of providing a high quality introductory computer science curriculum while developing strategies to better utilize the potential of student interaction in the student learning process. The approach we will use is to bring together a diversity of computer science educators for a two-year project on the application of peer learning to the introductory computer science curriculum. The project was initiated by an NSF-supported workshop in June, 1996 with this the follow-up workshop. It will not only involve the application of peer learning techniques at the home institution of the participants, but also evaluation of the impact these techniques have on the students and faculty involved.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Regarding the use of peer learning, the workshop is intended to bring together two types of computer science educators:
- Those faculty who are already employing the use of peer learning techniques in their introductory Computer Science courses and are interested in sharing their work and learning about other work. These faculty will have an opportunity to share their experience with other participants. We are looking for the group of experienced participants to collectively share a variety of techniques.
- Those faculty who are interested in employing peer learning techniques in their introductory Computer Science courses. These faculty will be asked to apply techniques presented at the workshop to an introductory Computer Science course they teach at their home institution.
WORKSHOP GOALS
The specific goals of the workshop and follow-up work are:
- allow participants to report on respective efforts on the use of peer learning in the introductory computer science curriculum,
- provide a forum for educators interested in peer learning to have a hands-on environment for using and developing cooperative activities.
- disseminate the use of peer learning techniques to other faculty and schools who are currently using more traditional classroom approaches, and
- assess the effectiveness of using peer learning techniques across different educational environments.
WORKSHOP DETAILS
The workshop will be held at WPI and begin on Thursday, June 12. It will end on Saturday, June 14. Its primary purpose is to report on and evaluate the overall results on the use of peer learning at the respective institutes of the participants. We will also try to summarize the appropriate use of peer learning as a learning technique at this level of the computer science curriculum. Faculty already using or interested in using peer learning are encouraged to apply for participation in the workshop.
FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
Worcester Polytechnic Institute and the National Science Foundation will provide attendees with all necessary workshop materials, and with food and lodging (private dormitory rooms with linens) while at WPI. Attendees and their home institutions are responsible for travel and incidental expenses. Worcester is the second largest city in New England with about 150,000 people. It is located about 40 miles west of Boston. Air travel can be done into the Worcester airport or into Boston (ground transportation taking about an hour is then available to Worcester).
APPLICATION
Space in the workshop is limited to approximately 30 people. Preference will be given to those who people who previously attended the workshop, but additional openings are available. To apply, fill in and send us the information requested in the application form. To introduce ourselves and provide a model for filling in the information, you can see our answers to the questions on the application form.
DEADLINE
DEADLINE. The deadline is April 1, 1997. Applications received after that time will be accepted as space permits.
Craig E. Wills Computer Science Department Worcester Polytechnic Institute 100 Institute Road Worcester, MA 01609, USA. Email: cew@cs.wpi.edu Phone: (508) 831-5622 FAX: (508) 831-5776