Sandra Lovrenčić

Using real projects as motivators in programming education

It is very hard to properly motivate students to learn abstract programming concepts and programming is generally considered as hard. Students tend to fear programming courses and they develop skeptic attitude towards this kind of courses. One of the key factors that contribute to this kind of attitude is abstract nature of programming and the fact that students do not realize why exactly they should gain such knowledge. In this paper an approach that incorporates using real projects to show students the practical outcomes of their learning process in order to motivate them to learn programming is discussed and initial results of its usage are presented and elaborated.

RDF Means Database

Graph databases are continuously rising in popularity, as well as other types of NoSQL databases. RDF databases, as a type of graph databases are also starting to grow in popularity, but are still very little used. There are many discussions about advantages of various types of databases one over another. This paper focuses on RDF databases and their potential. Comparison of systems that support RDF model and those that support graph databases only with property graph model is performed according to several important characteristics. Results show similarities and differences in their support for database management.

Assessing computer literacy as related to computer and school attitudes

The tendency to use the computer and other modern information technologies as means of learning and accessing information even applies to early primary school age children. The research presented in this paper has revealed that primary school students are not only aware of the increasing importance of using computers and familiar with the purpose and ways of using computers, but also enjoy themselves while doing so. Upon analyzing the results, statistically relevant correlations were obtained between the assessed values of variables computer importance and computer enjoyment and other variables related to learning success, including motivation, study habits, creative tendencies and school attitudes, as well as empathy as a social skill variable.