M. P. Lee

The application of second natural language acquisition pedagogy to the teaching of programming languages—a research agenda

The writing of programs is one of the central activities in computer science education, yet frequently it is poorly taught. In this paper we argue that some of the most recent principles emerging from research into and the successful teaching of second natural languages might be applied to the teaching of programming languages.The paper begins by reviewing the historical development of the teaching of both second natural languages and programming languages. It continues with a manifesto for potential research areas, in order to test these ideas further.

Computer spreadsheets for numerical analysis

This paper illustrates how electronic spreadsheet programs, such as Lotus 1‐2‐3 and Microsoft Excel, can be used for numerical analysis. It begins by considering the nature of spreadsheets with particular reference to their precision and accuracy. It continues with an extended example taken from matrix manipulation which uses both the Jacobi and Gauss‐Seidel iterative methods for solving sets of simultaneous equations. The spreadsheet approach allows users to compare the details of how the two methods work. The paper concludes with a restatement of the advantages of spreadsheets for numerical analysis.

Using spreadsheets to teach statistics in geography

Abstract Teaching methods of statistical calculation in geography may be enhanced by using a spreadsheet computer program. The student enters computational formulae in stages, thus gaining an understanding of the calculation process whilst having the actual arithmetic done by computer. The input data, intermediate calculations, and results are laid out in a matrix of rows and columns. They can be inspected and altered to demonstrate various statistical properties. The latest spreadsheets offer graphical and database facilities which add to their educational value.

A first year course in software design and use

The rapid expansion of the use o f microcomputers has changed the nature of computing . Long gone are the days when access to computer hardware and softwar e was limited and difficult for all but a few well-trained people . Now there is a microcomputer on every desk, and in mos t businesses large and small . This change has brought new types of software that are user-friendly, general-purpose, flexibl e and powerful, creating a need for a ne w kind of computer specialist . It is no longer necessary to solve every problem by writing a specific program in an all purpose language such as Pascal or BASIC . Instead it is possible to solve many problems by using existing software in new and better ways, for example spreadsheet s can be used for financial analysis , simulations and statistics (Soper & Lee , 1985) .

New microcomputer graphics routines designed for undergraduate teaching

INTRODUCTION Many departments of higher education have bought microcomputers with which to teach thei r introductory courses in program design and development. They have many advantages i n comparison with main-frame and mini-computers : simple-to-understand operating systems , full-screen editors, good response times and, in many cases, colour graphics. Th e student response to using microcomputers is, on the whole, very positive, an d particularly so when programming projects are introduced which use interactive graphics. The use of graphics often motivates the students to produce more imaginative and comple x programs. Graphics is also a very good vehicle for developing a deeper understanding of numerou s topics in science such as population genetics, molecular structure, kinetics, mathematic s and statistics. When used by arts students, it has the same stimulating effect, althoug h for different reasons. In the humanities and arts-based subjects graphics is seen as a way of presenting information in a visual form which greatly increases the effectivenes s of man-machine communication. The importance of graphics in man-machine interaction i s amply demonstrated by the latest developments in microcomputer operating systems a s illustrated by Apples Macintosh, Digital Researchs GEM, and Microsofts Windows (Swain e 1985). We have, over the past four years, taught an introductory course in Program Design t o students who are not reading for a computing degree, but who wish to use computing as a tool in their main subjects which range right across the entire spectrum of Highe r History and Philosophy. In just this short time span we have used six different model s of microcomputer : RML 380Z, RML 480Z, Victor/Sirius, Apricot PC, Apple Macintosh and R M Nimbus. All machines have a graphics capability, but each has offered a very differen t library of graphics routines. This has meant that the staff have to become proficient i n five different graphics systems, that program examples have to be substantially modifie d for each machine, and that students going on to a second year course have to learn a ne w set of graphics routines. Some might argue that learning more than one system of graphics would be beneficial t o the students, but the educational aim of our courses is not to teach graphics, but t o teach the principles of program design and development. We needed a graphics standar d that was the same for all our microcomputers (as …

Design, Development And Delivery Of An Innovative Blended Msc In Knowledge Management Systems At Cranfield

AbstractThis paper describes an innovative Master of Science (MSc) course in Knowledge Management Systems (KMS) taught via blended learning by the Department of Information Systems at Cranfield University. This MSc is aimed primarily at the defence sector, although it has become increasingly attractive to learners across the public and private sectors. We begin by introducing the background and context under which the course was designed. The section on design outlines our syllabus and our learning design. The section on development describes how we applied knowledge management software to support the authoring process. The section on delivery describes our blended modes of teaching at workshops and via the Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The paper includes a comprehensive bibliography of course textbooks, which are issued to all learners.