Cheng Chih Wu

Conceptual models and cognitive learning styles in teaching recursion

An experimental research design was implemented in an attempt to understand how different types of conceptual models and cognitive learning styles influence novice programmers when learning recursion. The results indicate that in teaching recursion to novice programmers:• concrete conceptual models are better than abstract conceptual models,• novices with abstract learning styles perform better than those with concrete learning styles,• abstract learners do not necessarily benefit more from abstract conceptual models, and• concrete learners do not necessarily benefit more from concrete conceptual models.

Enhancing the teaching experience of pre‐service teachers through the use of videos in web‐based computer‐mediated communication (CMC)

The provision of feedback to students is an important aspect of teaching and learning processes. It is often a necessary requirement for the stimulation of self‐reflection. This paper describes the use of video‐enabled, web‐based computer‐mediated communication (CMC) for the provision of feedback to pre‐service, trainee teachers who were involved in a Teaching Practicum course within a teacher‐education programme. Pre‐service teachers’ micro‐teaching and field‐teaching performances were videotaped and made available for viewing within the CMC system. Experienced high‐school teachers were asked to critique the pre‐service teachers’ performances and to lead the discussions using the CMC system. The results of questionnaires that were administered to all participants of the study indicated that the system effectively enhanced pre‐service teachers’ teaching experience. Five reasons cited for the success were: easy access to taped teaching sessions; better assessment of personal teaching style; more sharing of one’s teaching and more learning from peer teaching; more concrete feedback; and more effective involvement of experienced teachers.

Use of BBS to facilitate a teaching practicum course

Abstract In this paper, a study on using the electronic bulletin board system (BBS) in promoting reflective thinking among student teachers in a teaching practicum course is presented. With the aid of BBS, student teachers have opportunities to exchange teaching experiences, which indirectly develops reflective thinking.

Supporting nursing students' critical thinking with a mobile web learning environment

The use of mobile technology has the potential of revolutionizing and transforming the way clinical practicums are conducted in nursing training. Our Web-based implementation suggested that incorporating technology, specifically with Internet and mobile devices, to promote nursing students’ critical thinking is feasible and showed dramatic results. As our environment was tailored for the psychiatric nursing practicum, future studies should delineate the context in which they are to be delivered.

Critical concepts in the development of courseware for CS closed laboratories

In this paper we present some of the experiences that we have gained from having developed a number of laboratory-based courseware for teaching computing concepts. We point out that lab-based teaching is a special category of computer-based instruction (CBI). The intended lab usage imposes certain constraints on lab-based courseware such that the methodologies for developing traditional CBI software do not seem to fit the development of lab-based software very well. Lab-based software requires special considerations as to the presentation of its course content and the design of its user interface.

Using Concept Maps to Aid Analysis of Concept Presentation in High School Computer Textbooks

In this study we use concept maps as the tool for examining concepts presented in three high school computer textbooks. All three textbooks were endorsed by Taiwans Ministry of Education (MOE). The concepts relating to CPU was selected as a sample for analysis. Two high school computer teachers first worked independently and then together to draw concept maps for each of the textbooks. Our analysis revealed that the textbooks did not cover the important concepts appropriately and failed to address the connections between the concepts. While all three textbooks elaborated on some concepts using examples, only a few analogies were used. The study also showed that concept maps can be an effective tool for analyzing the conceptual framework of important concepts within a textbook.

USING SIMCPU IN COOPERATIVE LEARNING LABORATORIES

This article reports the research findings of an experimental design in which cooperative learning strategies were applied to closed-lab instruction of computing concepts. SimCPU, a software package specially designed for closed-lab usage, was used by 171 high-school students of four classes. In contrast to the students in the control group who operated SimCPU individually, students in the experimental group formed threesome teams to learn the CPU-related concepts by operating SimCPU cooperatively. The results showed that collaboration did enhance learning and that blending cooperative learning with closed-lab instruction in computer science was viable.

Visualizing programming in recursion and linked lists

Taipei, Taiwan 106 Ieeg, mjlin]@ice.ntnu. edu.tw

Suggestions for content selection and presentation in high school computer textbooks

Based on the findings from reviewing 32 textbooks in the past four years for Taiwans Ministry of Education, we have identified common problems in the reviewed textbooks and analyzed their inadequacies. Typical problems include the Wintel bias, too much coverage of software application tools and too little of computer science concepts, too many technical terms, meaningless analogies and examples, lack of supplementary materials, and inadequate treatment of programming-related content. The discussion about each problem is substantiated with examples, and suggestions are made on possible improvement. This analysis should help textbook writers avoid undesirable elements in their books and help high school computer teachers select higher quality books for their students.

Computational Thinking Curriculum for K-12 Education -- A Delphi Survey

The purpose of this study is to design a computational thinking curriculum standard for K-12 education. The Delphi technique was employed to collect different views and derive consensus from a panel of thirteen experts, including computer scientists, computer science educators, K-12 computer teachers, and industry experts. The first draft of Delphi survey questionnaire, consisting of nine themes (problem solving, problem decomposition, algorithms, data representation, data analysis, modeling and simulation, abstraction, automation, and others) and 60 competence indicators, was developed based on our investigation of the nature of computational thinking. After three rounds of survey and a final round-table discussion, the expert panel derived 49 essential competence indicators (13 for grades K to 6, nine for grades 7 to 9 and 27 of grades 10 to 12) and eight optional competence indicators (one for grades 7 to 9 and seven for grades 10 to 12). According to the results, the core ability and training of computational thinking are different in grades. In grades K to 6, students develop logical thinking and problem solving skills in personal and family life. In grades 7 to 9, students must understand the basic concepts of programming and write basic programs. Finally, in grades 10 to 12, they will use high-level skills to apply the concepts of abstraction, modeling, and structured problem decomposition to solve problems in different fields. The results serve as useful references for developing Taiwans new K-12 computing curriculum.