Pre-Symposium Events
There are several exciting pre-symposium events this year; plan your travel so you can get in a day early and take part in these excellent professional development and educational opportunities.
Web Development with the MEAN Stack: A Comprehensive Hands-On Tutorial for Educators
Date/Time: March 2nd, 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Where: L5-L6
Cost: Free (lunch provided for registered participants)
Max Participants: 30
Netscape first provided a grand unification of sorts by offering a single, uniform interface to resources spread across the globe. Simple HTML interfaces to CGI (and later PHP) scripts provided the second grand unification – as suddenly software developers did not need to worry about client software distribution any more. Both Java and Javascript attempted (in their own ways) to enhance the degree of sophistication of the end-user experience. Protocols and technologies came and went (xml-rpc, SOAP, Java RMI, OpenLaszlo, etc.) while the typical web development solution slowly converged towards a (now traditional) LAMP stack architecture. As web development projects became more demanding, frameworks like Spring and Rails (for Ruby) demonstrated the viability of the MVC pattern and helped spawn replicas (CakePHP, Django, Grails, etc.) into other communities. Today it’s fair to say that the move towards the MVC architectures was just another (spontaneous, unplanned) attempt to unify development over the web. Simplicity often tends to be a great focal point of evolution. In the last 5-6 years another type of unification became possible due to the surprising resurgence of a most unlikely candidate: Javascript. First Javascript was the glue that made possible the ideas behind HTML5 (as an entirely new set of APIs, and not just a new set of tags). Then in 2009 with the first release of Node.js (relying on Google’s Javascript V8 engine) the creation of web servers and networking tools using JavaScript became not just possible, but also extremely efficient. These days, using MongoDB as the document database, Node.js as the server platform (with Express as a flexible and robust server-side web application framework) along with AngularJS (by Google) for the GUIs on the client side, developers are finally capable of creating more agile software by using a single language across all layers of application development. This has the potential to drastically change how we teach web programming. Bring your own laptop and join workshop presenters Marc Wandschneider, of Google and author of Learning Node.js (Addison-Wesley) and Brad Dayley, of Novell and author of Node.js, MongoDB and AngularJS Web Development (Addison-Wesley) as they explore in tutorial fashion all major aspects, stages and components of web development with the MEAN stack.
For additional information: http://www.cs.indiana.edu/~dgerman/mean-tutorial/sigcse2016.html
To register for this event, email dgerman@indiana.edu.
Organizers:
- Adrian German (dgerman@indiana.edu)
Facilitating POGIL Activities to Support All Students
Date/Time: March 2nd, 9:00AM - 12:30PM
Where: L10
Cost: Free
Max Participants: 25
This pre-symposium event is for experienced POGIL facilitators to share experiences and ideas on how to become better facilitators of POGIL activities. In Process Oriented Guided Inquiry Learning (POGIL), teams of 3-4 students work on scripted inquiry activities designed to help them discover concepts and construct their own knowledge. Using assigned team roles and meta-cognition, learners develop process skills and individual responsibility. The instructor serves as a facilitator, not a lecturer. Studies show that POGIL can significantly improve student performance and retention. For more information, please contact Helen Hu or Chris Mayfield.
For additional information: http://tinyurl.com/pogil2016
To register for this event: http://tinyurl.com/pogil2016
Organizers:
- Helen H. Hu (hhu@westminstercollege.edu)
- Pat Campbell (campbell@campbell-kibler.com)
- Chris Mayfield (mayfielcs@jmu.edu)
- Tricia Shepherd (shepherd@stedwards.edu)
Fulbright for Computer Science Education
Date/Time: March 2nd, 9:00AM - 12:00PM
Where: L11-L12
Cost: Free
Max Participants: 45
As “the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government” the Fulbright Scholar program has represented both the expertise and the interests of American scholars and academics since 1947. Each year the Catalog of Awards includes approximately 600 listings with almost 400 of them open to scholars in computer science. This presentation will cover the opportunities in teaching and/or research available to computer science educators, how to select countries, make contacts abroad and successfully propose a project for application. Our program staff will be joined by a Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador, Charles Wallace, who received a grant to Chile in Computer Science Education. He will present on the experience of a Fulbright Scholar from the benefits of applying, what his project entailed and the impact it had on him personally and professionally. This presentation will be of particular interest to scholars wishing to expand their research and professional linkages.
For additional information: www.cies.org
To register for this event, email Outreach@iie.org.
Organizers:
- Athena Fulay (afulay@iie.org)
- Andy Riess (ariess@iie.org)
POSSE Roundup
Date/Time: March 2nd, 9AM - 5PM
Where: Sultana
Cost: Free
Max Participants: 30
POSSE, the Professors Open Source Software Experience, helps instructors prepare to guide student participation in Humanitarian Free and Open Source Software (HFOSS) projects. This POSSE Roundup is a workshop for instructors who have previously attended POSSE. It will provide an opportunity to share experiences and discuss challenges with student participation in HFOSS. There will also be presentations and discussions of recent developments in HFOSS learning efforts. The workshop structure of the day will emphasize active participation of attendees.
For additional information: http://foss2serve.org/index.php/SIGCSE_2016_POSSE_Roundup
To register for this event: http://foss2serve.org/index.php/SIGCSE_2016_POSSE_Roundup
Organizers:
- Gregory Hislop (hislop@ drexel.edu)
SIGCAS Workshop on Computing for the Social Good: Educational Practices
Date/Time: March 2nd, 9:00AM - 12:30PM
Where: L9
Cost: Free to SIGCAS members, $30 otherwise
Max Participants: 40
CS educational activities for the social good (CSG-Ed), is an umbrella term meant to incorporate any educational activity, from small to large, that endeavors to convey and reinforce computing’s social relevance and potential for positive societal impact. This SIGCAS sponsored hands-on workshop is an opportunity to learn the skills necessary to become a CSG-Ed practitioner. In addition to the presentation of current research highlighting the importance CSG-Ed for attracting and retaining a diverse student audience, seasoned CSG-Ed practitioners will lead participants through activities to increase one’s ability to deploy CSG-Ed activities and assignments. The goal of this workshop is to create a new cohort of CSG-Ed practitioners and to improve the skill-set of current practitioners.
This workshop is open to both CSG-Ed novices and those with CSG-Ed experience. Attendees will gain new skills, be introduced to new collaborators and be exposed to how SIGCAS can support the many varied individual and group CSG-Ed efforts.
Space is limited to provide a small group hands-on workshop experience.
See www.sigcas.org for more information about SIGCAS and CSG-Ed in general.
For additional information: http://www.sigcas.org/
To register for this event, email mikeyg@xavier.edu.
Organizers:
- SIGCAS
SIGCSE Board Sponsored: New Educators Workshop
Date/Time: March 2nd, 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Where: Mississippi
Cost: Registration for the workshop is free, thanks to the generous support of the SIGCSE Board. A limited number of $500 travel grants are available for participants.
Max Participants: 30
Despite the important role teaching plays in many academic careers, the reality is that many new educators receive only minimal teacher training and are often unsure of what career options are available to them. How do you choose an institution or career path that is right for you? How do you balance teaching with research, service, and a family life? How do you work effectively with colleagues and survive the tenure process? How do you organize a coherent course, deliver engaging lectures, and build good relationships with students? The goal of the New Educators Workshop is to assist academic-oriented graduate students, post docs, and pre-tenure faculty in exploring questions such as these. Experienced colleagues from a variety of career paths will be there to share their experiences and best practices. Small-group discussions will enable attendees to focus on the questions or concerns most relevant to their situations, as well as build a support group of like-minded colleagues.
For additional information: http://dave-reed.com/NEW/
To register for this event: http://dave-reed.com/NEW/
Organizers:
- Andrea Danyluk
- Dave Reed
Computing Principles and Computation in the First Course – Exemplars from China
Date/Time: March 2nd, 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Where: L8
Cost: Free
Max Participants: 40
This workshop aspires to engage global post-secondary teachers interested in computing education with a reflection on computing education activities in Chinese universities. Participants will exchange ideas with Chinese professors and leaders of Microsoft Research Asia in discussing and synthesizing the variances in global computing education at universities.
A key challenge for Chinese universities is implementing a sound structure and approach for its essential and core “CS1” computing course titled, Fundamentals of University Computer Science, a non-majors course commonly known as CS0. China understands the importance of exposing university students to computing and technology. It is vital for students to be fully up-to-date with technology and its effect on society. China has made great strides in recent years in advancing computing knowledge at the university level. Chinese universities are currently evaluating the introduction of computational thinking into the “CS1” for non-majors course (CS0). Not only is computational thinking the mental skill for all college students to solve problems by computing, but it also can help them to understand nature, human society, and their subject analytically. Such an addition dramatically increases Chinese students’ deeper understanding and real-world application of computing and technology in the workplace. The workshop will present the “CS1” non-majors course (CS0) along with two discussions that will aptly analyze ongoing ways to improve the course. Participants will have full opportunity to express their views in discussions and in presenting their own perspectives through breakout sessions. Chinese universities and Microsoft Research Asia are committed to advancing computing technology in China.
Please sign up here – registration is not possible through the SIGCSE website. We are keen to know you are coming.
For additional information: http://www.msra.cn/zh-cn/connections/sigcse-2016-pre-symposium.aspx
To register for this event, email winnie.cui@microsoft.com.
Organizers:
- Ming Zhang (mzhang@net.pku.edu.cn)
Creating Engaging and Relevant Classroom Activities and Assignments
Date/Time: March 2nd, 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Where: L10
Cost: Free
Max Participants: 75
Computer science classrooms need to better incorporate a wide diversity of perspectives and provide equal opportunities for all students pursuing CS degrees and subsequent careers.
This workshop will provide CS faculty the opportunity to discuss how to create engaging and relevant classroom activities and assignments that will enhance underrepresented students’ interest, success and retention in computer science. Examples of engaging and relevant curriculum will be presented from TIDES institutions and the EngageCSEdu repository. Workshop attendees will then be challenged to consider how to modify their own CS courses to be more engaging and relevant.
TIDES (Teaching to Increase Diversity and Equity in STEM) is an AAC&U STEM Initiative and is generously funded by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust. EngageCSEdu is a project of the National Center for Women & Information Technology and is generously funded by Google.
For additional information: http://tinyurl.com/tides2016
To register for this event: http://tinyurl.com/tides2016
Organizers:
- Helen H. Hu (hhu@westminstercollege.edu)
- Beth Quinn (beth.quinn@ncwit.org)
Integrating Computing Ethics and Professionalism into the Technical Curriculum
Date/Time: March 2nd, 2:00PM - 5PM
Where: L9
Cost: The event is sponsored by the ACM Committee on Professional Ethics at no cost to participants
Max Participants: 35
In support of ACM’s commitment to ethical professionalism, this event is designed to help faculty provide students with tools to better understand and resolve their ethical challenges. It will specifically address the needs of faculty who are teaching or are about to teach computer ethics, either as a stand-alone course, or as part of another course. The workshop will use both lecture and small group activities to introduce and enhance participants’ computer ethics teaching skills. We will present materials to be used in a complete computer ethics course and that can be used as examples and exercises in specific technical courses, including case studies, suggested course syllabi, and suggestions for creating and grading assignments consistent with CS2013 and SE.
For additional information: https://edocs.uis.edu/kmill2/www/ComputerEthicsSIGCSE2016.html
To register for this event: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VJ3ZGGP
Organizers:
- Don Gotterbarn (gotterbarn@acm.org)
Universal Design of Teaching in K-12 Computing
Date/Time: March 2nd, 2:00PM - 5:00PM
Where: L11-L12
Cost: Free
Max Participants: 50
AccessCS10K works to increase the successful participation of students with disabilities in the new Exploring Computer Science (ECS) and Computer Science Principles (CSP) courses. This workshop will address strategies for teaching diverse groups of K-12 students including students with learning disabilities, deaf and hard of hearing students, students with visual impairments, and more. Participants will devise strategies to increase the accessibility of their curricula.
For additional information: http://uw.edu/accesscomputing/accesscs10k
To register for this event, email blaser@uw.edu.
Organizers:
- Brianna Blaser (blaser@uw.edu)
Lunch && Learn - Code.org’s App Lab
Date/Time: March 4th, 12:00PM - 1:45PM
Where: L2-3
Cost: Free
Max Participants: 45
App Lab (https://code.org/applab) is Code.org’s rapid-prototyping environment for creating HTML, CSS, and JavaScript-powered web applications. It was created as part of a rich set of instructional resources designed for teachers of the new AP Computer Science Principles (CSP) course. Yet, App Lab far exceeds the needs of CSP, and would be an appropriate learning environment for students in any CS0/CS1 class, even at the university level.
App Lab gives novice programmers access to capabilities previously reserved for courses that require sophisticated tech setup and knowledge of both front and backend web development, server-side scripting, databases, etc. Rather than focusing on curriculum, this Lunch && Learn will focus on how App Lab works as a programming tool in its own right, and how it was designed to aid and motivate student learning. In the session we’ll demonstrate a few key exemplars and guide attendees through a few hands-on examples with members of Code.org’s Education team as well as a App Lab’s product manager.
For additional information: https://code.org/applab
To register for this event: http://goo.gl/forms/9IcBo9gQle
Organizers:
- Baker Franke
- Brook Osborne
- Sarah Filman
Alice 3 to Java – Celebration with the Ghost Train crew
Date/Time: March 4th, Lunch, 12:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Where: Ballroom B
Cost: Free
Max Participants: 200
To celebrate the release of the Alice 3 to Java textbook, the Ghost Train crew invite you to a free (lunch / breakfast) with the crew of the Ghost Train. A brief presentation will include an introduction to the Ghost Train story that runs through the program examples used in the textbook chapters.
For additional information: http://www.alice.org/
No registration. Come one, come all.
Organizers:
- Don Slater (dslater@andrew.cmu.edu)
New AP Computer Science Principles Course
Date/Time: March 4th, Lunch, 12:00 PM – 1:45 PM
Where: L10
Cost: Free
Max Participants: 75
You are invited to a luncheon and an open forum on AP Computer Science Principles. This course represents a significant collaboration between colleges and universities and secondary schools. Participants of this luncheon will learn about the important role higher education faculty have held in every step of the development of AP Computer Science Principles as well as faculty’s participation in exam scoring, score setting, and validation. Join us to learn more about the goals of the AP Computer Science Principles course and exam and participate in an interactive discussion around how a credit and placement policy can build deeper interest in the field.
For additional information: https://aphighered.collegeboard.org/
Please RSVP to Tejal Shah.
Organizers:
- Tejal Shah (tshah@collegeboard.org)
NCWIT Reception
Date/Time: March 4, 6:00PM - 7:00PM
Where: Heritage Ballroom, Sheraton Hotel
Cost: Free
Max Participants: 200
The National Center for Women & IT (NCWIT) Academic Alliance will host a reception sponsored by Microsoft Research. NCWIT invites faculty members of higher education to attend our reception. Both current NCWIT members and those interested in becoming members of NCWIT are welcome.
For additional information: Contact Kim Kalahar.
None required.
Organizers:
- Kim Kalahar (Kimberly.Kalahar@colorado.edu)
Community College Reception sponsored by Intel Education
Date/Time: March 4, 7:00PM - 8:00PM
Where: Nashville Ballroom, Sheraton Hotel
Cost: Free
Max Participants: 60
The members of the ACM Committee for Computing Education in Community Colleges (CCECC) are hosting a reception for all those interested in networking with others who are interested in computing education at two-year colleges. Refreshments will be provided.
For additional information: http://ccecc.acm.org/contact
No registration required.
Organizers:
- Elizabeth Hawthorne (ehawthorne@ccecc.acm.org)
- Cara Tang (ctang@ccecc.acm.org)
- Cindy Tucker (ctucker@ccecc.acm.org)
Community College Curriculum Development Workshop: Computer Science and Cybersecurity
Date/Time: March 5th, 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Where: L1
Cost: Free
Max Participants: 50
The ACM Committee for Computing Education in Community Colleges (CCECC) is revising its 2009 Computer Science Curricular Guidance in step with the ACM CS2013 guidelines and emerging cybersecurity education trends. Come to this no-cost workshop to meet your community colleagues and to have input into the curriculum development process that will help shape the future of computer science education at more than 1,100 community colleges nationwide.
There is no cost for this event however, registration is required. Go to http://ccecc.acm.org/contact with ‘RSVP SIGCSE Workshop’ in the Subject line. Registration is on a first come, first serve basis.
For additional information: http://ccecc.acm.org/
Organizers:
- Elizabeth Hawthorne (ehawthorne@acm.org)
- Cara Tang (ctang@ccecc.acm.org)
- Cindy Tucker (ctucker@ccecc.acm.org)
For More Information
If you are interested in hosting a pre-symposium event, please contact the Pre-Conference Events Liaison (below) to request an application form. Application forms should be submitted by for full consideration.
Depending on the number of applications submitted and space availability at the conference hotel, not all events may be selected for inclusion.
Questions
If you have questions about anything discussed above, please contact the SIGCSE 2016 Pre-Symposium and Affiliated Events Liaison.
- Rachelle Kristof Hippler
Bowling Green University - Firelands
sigcse2016-events@bw.edu