Jarkko Suhonen

Using data mining for improving web-based course design

The distance education field offers several potential data sources for data mining applications. These applications can help both instructors and students in the web-based learning setting. One of the interesting aspects of data mining in education is to collect and interpret the information from several courses. This information can be used for example to assign heterogeneous groups in programming courses or projects and to evaluate the actual learning.

Dimensions of distance learning for computer education

In this paper, we explore what is variously termed distance learning (DL), asynchronous, online, Web-based, and Web-supported learning in terms of how it can support and perhaps even improve the fields of education involving computing. We use the term distributed education to cover all mentioned topics. We describe how the incorporation of these methods can benefit computer education. These benefits arise because of the nature of the computing field, the profound requirements for students to understand concepts and acquire skills as opposed to mere exposure to facts, and our assessment that distributed education has the potential to address many of the challenges identified. We conclude with suggestions on the incorporation of distributed methods into computer education.

Microblogging in Higher Education: The Edmodo Case Study among Computer Science Learners in Finland

Microblogging, with applications in many domains, including education, is one of the social media technologies with the greatest potential. The features of a microblogging platform vary from sending and receiving messages via the web, SMS, instant messaging clients, and by third party applications. Even though social media networking sites are commonly used in Higher Education, very little empirical evidence is available concerning the impact of social media use on student learning and engagement, albeit some studies on the use of Twitter as a microblogging tool in educational settings Fei Gao, Tian Luo and Ke Zhang (2012). In this study, the authors analyse the level of familiarity, engagement and frequency of use of social media technologies among university-level computer science students in Finland. Additionally, the authors analyse the experience of using a specific microblogging social media, Edmodo, as a learning aid to support group work. The specific focus of the study is to examine the reception of the students towards the Edmodo platform. The data was collected through a social media familiarity questionnaire, Edmodo experience questionnaire and interviews. The main findings are that the cohort was not very familiar with social media at the beginning of the course. However, the use of the Edmodo as a microblogging social media networking sites, as a learning tool had a positive impact on the students. This study provides experimental evidence that microblogging social networking sites and more specifically Edmodo can be used as an educational tool to help engage students more in the use of more social media networking sites.

Serious storytelling --- a first definition and review

In human culture, storytelling is a long-established tradition. The reasons people tell stories are manifold: to entertain, to transfer knowledge between generations, to maintain cultural heritage, or to warn others of dangers. With the emergence of the digitisation of media, many new possibilities to tell stories in serious and non-entertainment contexts emerged. A very simple example is the idea of serious gaming, as in, digital games without the primary purpose of entertainment. In this paper, we introduce the term serious storytelling as a new potential media genre – defining serious storytelling as storytelling with a purpose beyond entertainment. We also put forward a review of existing potential application areas, and develop a framework for serious storytelling. We foresee several application areas for this fundamental concept, including wellbeing and health, medicine, psychology, education, ethical problem solving, e-leadership and management, qualitative journalism, serious digital games, simulations and virtual training, user experience studies, and online communication.

Building CS Research Capacity in sub-Saharan Africa by Implementing a Doctoral Training Program

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) needs to transform from an information society that consumes information technologies into a knowledge economy that creates technologies. Key domains for transformation include computer science education, research and development. The lack of research culture and support for research activities often results in low research outcomes, and slows down the development of innovative and independent thinkers and problem solvers. To increase research capacities, we have launched a doctoral level computer science research training program between the College of Business Education (CBE), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and the University of Eastern Finland (UEF), School of Computing. This paper discusses the preliminary experiences of planning and setting up that program.

Facebook as an assisted learning tool in problem-based learning: the Bahrain case

Facebook is one of the social media technologies with applications in many domains, including education. This study describes the students’ engagement with Facebook as an assisted learning tool in problem-based learning (PBL) cohort in Bahrain. Additionally, we analyse the reception of the students towards Facebook as a learning aid tool. A range of mixed methods data collection techniques and triangulation was performed to reveal the complexity of the topic under investigation. The data collection was through (pre and post) questionnaires and an interview. The empirical data showed that the use of Facebook as a learning tool had a positive impact on students. The study provides experimental evidence that social networks and more specifically Facebook can be used as an educational tool in PBL context to help engage students in the use of social media.

Design, development, and evaluation of a mobile learning application for computing education

The study focused on the application of the design science research approach in the course of developing a mobile learning application, MobileEdu, for computing education in the Nigerian higher education context. MobileEdu facilitates the learning of computer science courses on mobile devices. The application supports ubiquitous, collaborative, and social aspects of learning among higher education students. Moreover, the application eases access to learning resources. The paper first describes analysis, design, and implementation activities related to the development of MobileEdu. Also, the paper deliberated on the characteristics and scope of the adherence of MobileEdu to the traits and ideas of design science research. To evaluate MobileEdu in a real-life learning setting, experiment was conducted with 142 third-year undergraduate students in a Nigerian university. Besides the learning achievement of the students using MobileEdu, the study examined the impact of MobileEdu on students’ attitudes toward studying in a system analysis and design course. Experimental data were collected from pre- and post quizzes, interviews, and a questionnaire administered to students. The results of the evaluation are encouraging and showed that the MobileEdu application has a potential to improve students’ learning achievements. In addition, the pedagogical experiences of students were mostly positive and students’ attitudes toward the system analysis and design course through MobileEdu was better than those of students who studied the course via traditional methods. Finally, the study offered suggestions for how to implement effectively a mobile learning-supported course in computing curriculum.

Design and Implementation of MobileEdu M-learning Application for Computing Education in Nigeria: A Design Research Approach

The convergence of Wi-Fi technologies and mobile devices present prospects to design and implement applications that will support learning on the move. Mobile learning (m-learning) is the study and practice of using mobile devices, such as smart phones, mobile phones, tablets, PDAs, MP3s and pocket PCs to support learning for anyone, anytime and anywhere. Through well-situated and flexible mobile devices and network infrastructure, researchers and developers endeavor to offer users with new learning applications and services. We have applied the design research (DR) approach in the course of developing m-learning application, MobileEdu, for computing education in Nigerian higher education context. The application is intended to facilitate the learning of computer science courses on mobile devices, support ubiquitous, collaborative, and social learning for undergraduate students. Moreover, the application eases access to learning resources. In this article we present the analysis, design and implementation activities related to the development of the first MobileEdu prototype. The research also deliberated on the characteristics and scope of the adherence of MobileEdu to the traits and ideas of DR.

Establishing a mobile blog system in a distance education environment

Distance-learning programs often encounter problems with student motivation and performance. In the Virtual Studies of Computer Science (ViSCoS) program, these problems stem partly from lack of learning community. Furthermore, distance learning is not always location- and time-agnostic. ViSCoS Mobile is an m-learning extension to ViSCoS that frees students to study anywhere and anytime. We present the first design, implementation and evaluation of a mobile blog system Advanced Postman for ViSCoS. Preliminary testing of the system indicated that moblogs can be used successfully as a reporting tool on a programming project course. The results are applicable to any distance-learning program.

How to learn introductory programming over Web

In Finland, the Ministry of Education is funding a three-year project to establish the Virtual University of Finland, during years 2001-2003. One of the particular goals in the project is to develop new methods for science education. The three universities in eastern Finland, University of Joensuu, University of Kuopio, and Lappeenranta University of Technology, work jointly in the virtual university project. One of the concrete objectives is to create a web-based learning environment in introductory Computer Science, intended for high schools students. From the research perspective of educational technology and Computer Science education, this task is particularly challenging. We have aimed at designing a solid model for building the environment.