Hardware-Software Visualization to Learn Programming

Greetings from the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) in Vancouver.  Ahmad Zamzuri from Computing and Creative Industry Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris
Tanjong Malim is speaking on  "Hardware-Software Visualization to Learn Programming". This is intended to turn out more programmers with practical skills for industry.

Motivating Blended Learning for Computer Engineering Educators

Greetings from the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) in Vancouver.  Panagiotis Angelopoulos from Computer Technology Institute and Press “Diophantus” (CTIP) is speaking on "A Highly Motivated Blended Learning Model Oriented to Computer Engineering Educators". This uses Moodle, Bigbluebutton webinar software and free open source educational content. This seems to be orientated to supplementing face-to-face seminars with real time (synchronous) on-line events. This may be more feasible as Greece has only one time zone, but would be more difficult for Australia or Canada, which have multiple time zones, or internationally.

Blended Mutlicultural Learning

Greetings from the second day of the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) in Vancouver.  Yuko Kato from Jin-ai University on "Intercultural Training in a Blended Learning Environment in Japanese Higher Education". Japan's mono-cultural society makes it difficult for students to learn about cultural diversity and this paper looks at the use of e-learning to address this using a Moodle based course.

This is similar to the issue I discussed yesterday in "Chinese and Australian Students Learning to Work Together Online". Perhaps Australian and Japanese students can share online classes via Moodle.

Teaching Wicked Problem Solving

Greetings from the opening of the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) in Vancouver. Mark Allison  from Florida International University "Polya’s Approach to Foster Problem Solving Skill Development in Software Engineers". This goes beyond teaching a systematic approach to problem solving, as used in engineering, as exactly what the problem is and what will be an acceptable solution is rarely clear.

George Pólya  was the author of How to Solve It  outlining a four principle approach to problem solving: Understand, Devise, Carry out, and Review/extend.

One step  I suggest all professionals should learn is to assess if they can do the task requested. They should be prepared to reformulate a problem it is not within the state of the art, there are not sufficient resources, or it would be illegal or unethical, or it is simply a stupid idea. 

An example of reformulating a problem was the requirement for a high speed, heavily armoured amphibious fighting vehicles for the US Marines. The Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) program was cancelled when it was realised a vehicle can't be heavy, fast and float. The problem should be reformulated to get troops on shore quickly and safely. The replacement Amphibious Combat Vehicle Program will use a vessel to carry armoured vehicles on water, so the vessel can be optimised for speed on water and the vehicle for armour protection on land. Similarly the DARPA project for a flying jeep is now one for a small pilot-less cargo aircraft.

Spongebob and Playdough Computer Interface for Children

One of the more fascinating presentations from 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) was  "Effectiveness of Interactive Teaching Materials on Special Education and Assistive Technology" by Lin  Chien-yu and Chen Shu-hua from National University of Tainan. They showed adapting low cost electronics for interactive interfaces. One interface allowed pieces of playdough and foam plastic (sponge) to be used as buttons for a game.

Social Media for the Beijing Capital Museum

Greetings from the second day of the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) in Vancouver. Binyue Cui from Beijing Jiaotong University is speaking on "Investigation about Popularity of Cloud Services on Social Culture Education Resource". This is a project to provide educational materials to the general public for Beijing Capital Museum.

M-Learning in India

Greetings from the second day of the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) in Vancouver. Manpreet Singh Bhullar from  Khalsa College Patiala is speaking on "New Method of Learning :M-Learning(Mobile Learning)". He emphasised that Internet access and power supply is limited in rural India and so mobile phones provide a better option for students. The course content can be physically loaded to the phone, so it does not have to be transmitted. On a visit to India I came up against the Internet and power limitations.

Evaluating Creative Engineering

Greetings from the second day of the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) in Vancouver. Jongwan Kim from Daegu University described "An assessment method to evaluate team project based engineering design". Team work is an essential part of engineering education, but assessing this work is difficult and assessing the creative part of group projects doubly so. Also relevant is "Performance of student software development teams: the influence of personality and identifying as team members"by Lynette Johns-Boast.

Adult Education with Cyberart at Brasilia

Greetings from the second day of the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) in Vancouver. It is a very quiet Sunday on the UBC campus. Lucio Teles from University of Brasilia livened things up by showing a video made by students as part of his "Re-engineering adult education through students’ production of cyberart to support curriculum learning" presentaion. Brasilia, like Canberra, is a planned city.

Virtual Blended Learning

Greetings from the opening of the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) in Vancouver, where Carsten Lecon, University of Applied Sciences is speaking on "Virtual Blended Learning: Virtual 3D Worlds and their Integration in Teaching Scenarios".

Virtual Blended Learning is the use of Blended
Learning scenarios within virtual 3D worlds. We show the advanced possibilities compared with traditional e-learning, integrating 3D worlds into University lectures. One main issue is the overall tracking of a learner ́s activity.

One interesting aspect is the use of the Tin Can API (Experience API or xAPI) to record what the student has done.

Managing Student Programming Exercises

Greetings from the opening of the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) in Vancouver, where Jean Luca Bez from Universidade Regional Integrada is talking on "URI Online Judge Academic: A Tool for Algorithms and Programming Classes". This tool has the Stanford University Moss Plagiarism Detector built in and looks very useful for teaching programming.

The URI Online Judge Academic is an online tool
that assists professors in programming classes and motivates students to practice more and to go beyond the theoretical base learned in class and, as a result, helps them sharpen their logical, algorithmically and programming skills. The Academic module enables professors to manage disciplines and lists of exercises on specific programming topics in a visual and organized online environment that presents several benefits compared to the traditional method of handwritten lists. The purpose of this article is to introduce the features and the benefits available in version 3.0 of the tool.

Skills Frameworks to Reform Higher Education

Greetings from the opening of the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) in Vancouver, where Venky Shankararaman from Singapore Management University is speaking on "Skills Frameworks: A Tool for Reform in Information Technology Higher Education".

Information Technology (IT) has revolutionized
the ways in which various sectors of the industry operate. It has enabled organizations to develop new and creative approaches to design, develop and provide products and services. Consequently, companies increasingly rely on IT solutions and Information Systems (IS) to deliver product and services. This I turn has created a need for availability of skilled IT and IS personnel for effective operational continuity within organizations. There seems to be high demand for both IT/IS skills globally. Universities and other form of tertiary institutions play a key role in developing skilled IT personnel. They deploy various approaches to designing and developing IT/IS educational
programs. Some programs could have been developed without much consideration given to the nature of demand for skills and real needs from the IT sector. It is critical to align skills development strategies and educational programs to ensure realistic and relevant needs for IT skills are met. There seems to be a need for standardization of perceptions and expectations of IT/IS roles to facilitate reform for more effective alignment of education of IT/IS with industry needs.

This is very relevant for Australia as it discusses the Sikes Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) as used in Australia. I use SFIA skills definitions in designing courses. I use SFIA partly because the courses are included in programs accreted using the framework, but also because it makes the courses more relevant to real world jobs (and it makes courses easier to design). The course "ICT Sustainability" is designed to align with SIFA Level 5 sustainability competencies, although I designed the course first, sent it to SFIA and they created the skills (discussed at ICCSE 2012).

My paper on how I did this, from ICCSE 2012: http://www.tomw.net.au/technology/it/green_computing_professional/

Engineering and Ethics

Greetings from the opening of the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) in Vancouver, where Professor Li Ma (马莉) from Dalian University of Technology is speaking on "Enlarging Intersections between Engineering and Ethics: Thoughts on Engineering Ethics Education.

Ethical dimension inherently exists in engineering, separating ethics from engineering is the root-cause of many engineering accidents and conflictions. A qualified engineer must have ethical consciousness and abilities in ethical decision–making and behavior. Engineering ethics education has been proved to be a feasible way to achieve this goal, and it is of high necessities and urgencies according to Chinese current situation.
However, domestic engineering ethics education development is much slower than the western developed countries. Based on the background of “National Excellent Engineer Training Scheme”, this article reviews the development history and status quo of engineering ethics education, puts forward some major reform elements and the related countermeasures for Chinese engineering ethics education.

Some of these issues are discussed in "Professionalism in the Information and Communication Technology Industry.(Weckert and Lucas, ANU Press, 2013).

Safe Drinking Water by Phone

Greetings from the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) in Vancouver, where Professor Sushanta Mitra from University of Alberta is speaking on "Biosensors: Convergence with ICT platform". He is discussing how to use a low cost sensor to check water for contamination and advise consumers by phone. An interesting part of this is not only are engineers looking at how to build the system, but how to fund its use on developing nations.

professor Sushanta Mitra,

professor Sushanta Mitra,

professor Sushanta Mitra,

professor Sushanta Mitra,

International Developments in Computer Education

Greetings from the opening of the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) in Vancouver. It is a cool calm sunny Saturday morning on the beautiful UBC campus. The first keynote is Professor Saman Halgamuge from University of Melbourne on 'Near Unsupervised Learning in the era of Big Data: When does “Knowing a Little” can be useful?'. This is referring to machine learning and also the use of biological material interfaced to machines.

I will be introducing on of the note speakers at 11am, then presenting my own paper in the afternoon and on the panel "Curricula and Delivery of Engineering and IT Degrees in the Changing Internationalization Landscape of Higher Education" . The conference program and the papers are available online. Some items which caught my attention were:

13:20 - 13:40, SaA3.2, Enlarging Intersections between Engineering and Ethics: Thoughts on Engineering Ethics Education, pp. 63-68. , Li Ma, Dalian Univ. of Technology, Mingfeng Jiang , Dalian Univ. of Technology

13:40 - 14:00, SaA3.3, Motivational Factors for On-line Distance Learning - An Empirical Investigation, pp. 69-74. , Dr. Mona Alkhattabi, Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud University

4:00 - 14:20, SaA3.4, Tutoring Model to Guide Students in Programming Courses to Create Complete and Correct Solutions, pp. 75-80. , L. H. Gonzalez-Guerra, Tecnologico de Monterrey, A. J. Leal-Flores, Tecnologico de Monterrey

14:20 - 14:40, SaA3.5, Skills Frameworks: A Tool for Reform in Information Technology Higher Education, pp. 81-86. , Mehdi Asgrahani, CPIT - New Zealand, Venky Shankararaman, Singapore Management University

14:40 - 15:00, SaA3.6, URI Online Judge Academic: A Tool for Algorithms and Programming Classes, pp. 87-90. , Jean Luca Bez, Universidade Regional Integrada, Neilor A. Tonin , Universidade Regional Integrada, Paulo R. Rodegheri, Universidade Regional Integrada

14:40 - 15:00, SaB1.1, An Automatic Classification System for the Stock Comments, pp. 93-96. , Shuyi Hong, Xiamen University, Xue Han, Xiamen University, Lirong Tian, Xiamen University, Linkai Luo , Xiamen University

14:40 - 15:00, SaB3.1, Cognitive Psychology Oriented Education with Virtual Learning and Continuous Evaluation, pp. 153-158. , S.A.R.Thilanka, Sri Lanka Inst. of Info. Technology, M.Pranavan, Sri Lanka Inst. of Info. Technology, H.M.T.N.Dayarathna, Sri Lanka Inst. of Info. Technology, P.R.Wijewantha, Sri Lanka Inst. of Info. Technology

15:00 - 15:20, SaB3.2, Virtual Blended Learning - Virtual 3D Worlds and their Integration in Teaching Scenarios, pp. 159-164. , Carsten Lecon, University of Applied Siences Aalen, Markus Herkersdorf, TriCAT

15:40 - 16:00, SaB3.4, Chinese and Australian Students Learning to Work Together Online - Proposal to Expand the New Colombo Plan to the Online Environment, pp. 170-174. , Tom Worthington , Australian National University

16:00 - 16:20, SaB3.5, Delivering Software Engineering Education Through LEGO Robotics, pp. 175-180. , Ira Weissberger , University of Virginia's College at Wise, Abrar Qureshi , University of Virginia's College at Wise, Ali Qureshi , Central High School

8:50 - 9:10, SuA3.2, Applying PBL Approach to Improve the Teaching Effect of IS Project Management Unit, pp. 251-254. , Wang Na , Shanghai Ocean University
Re-engineering Adult Education through Students' Production of Cyberart to Support Curriculum Learning, pp. 255-258. , Lucio Teles, University of Brasilia

9:30 - 9:50, SuA3.4, Research on Close Collaboration between Scientific Research Projects and Experimental Teaching, pp. 259-262. , Shou Qingyun , Tongji University, Lin Yi , Tongji University, Zang Jianbin , Tongji Universit
9:50 - 10:10, SuA3.5, An Assessment Method to Evaluate Team Project Based Engineering Design, pp. 263-266. , Jongwan Kim, Daegu University

10:10 - 10:30, SuA3.6, A New Method of Learning: M-Learning (Mobile Learning), pp. 267-270. , Manpreet Singh Bhullar, Khalsa College Patial

11:45 - 12:05, SuB1.5, Investigation about Popularity of Cloud Services on Social Culture Education Resource, pp. 291-294. , Wei Zhou, Beijing Jiaotong University, Binyue Cui, Hebei Univ. of Economics & Business, Qingguo Shi, Beijing Jiaotong University

11:25 - 11:45, SuB2.4, Using an E-Talk Pen to Promote Phonological Awareness on Communication Training, pp. 308-312. , Chien-Yu Lin , National Univ. of Tainan, Hua-Chen Chai , Da Chen Elementary

11:05 - 11:25, SuB3.3, Examining the Relationship between Epistemic Activity and Academic Achievement - Using of Scripts and Co-evaluation Strategies in a VLE, pp. 332-336. , Felipe Tirado, National Autonomous Univ. of Mexico, Guillermo Santos, National Autonomous Univ. of Mexico

11:25 - 11:45, SuB3.4, Effectiveness of Interactive Teaching Materials on Special Education and Assistive Technology, pp. 337-341. , Chien-Yu Lin , National Univ. of Tainan, Shu-hua Chen , Guei-nan Elementary School

13:40 - 14:00, SuC3.3, Intercultural Training in a Blended Learning Environment in Japanese Higher Education, pp. 402-405. , Yuko Kato, Jin-ai University, Izumi Suwa, University of Fukui, Yoshitomo Itakura , University of Fukui, Toshiyuki Hamada , University of Fukui, Jousuke Kuroiwa , University of Fukui, Tomohiro Odaka, University of Fukui

15:20 - 15:40, SuD2.3, The Correlation between Personality Type and Individual Performance on an ICT Project, pp. 441-446. , Natasha N. Vito Ferreira, University of Johannesburg, Josef J. Langerman , University of Johannesburg

14:40 - 15:00, SuD3.1, Collaborative Learning: Implication of Online Forum in English Academic Writing for Engineering Students, pp. 459-464. , Dr Voyce Li, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

15:20 - 15:40, SuD3.3, The Design of E-Learning Service Model Based on SIP Protocol, pp. 469-472. , Yiming Chen, Xiamen University, Yuliang Tang, Xiamen Universit

15:40 - 16:00, SuD3.4, A Highly Motivated Blended Learning Model Oriented to Computer Engineering Educators, pp. 473-477. , Panagiotis Angelopoulos , Computer Tech. Inst. & Press, Michael Paraskevas, Computer Tech. Inst. & Press Technological Educational Inst. of Western Greece, Isidoros Perikos, Computer Tech. Inst. & Press, Thomas Zarouchas, Computer Tech. Inst. & Press

SaP5.4, The Program of Educational Technology Ability Building for Vocational Education Teachers, pp. 762-765. , Zhang Liqin , Jiangxi Sci. & Technique Normal University, Wan chunhui, Jiangxi Water Resources Institute
A Review of "Perceptions of the Computer-Assisted Writing Program among EFL College Learners", pp. 766-769. , ZHANG Xiao-ping , Sichuan Normal University

SaP7.8, Educational Reform of Computer Application Foundation Course, pp. 834-837. , Yueping Wu , Shanghai Second Polytechnic University, Shiming Zhang, Shanghai Second Polytechnic University

English Language Teaching for Engineering Students in Chinese Higher Education in a Cross Road, Where to Go?, pp. 851-856. , Ji LI, Zhengzhou Normal Universiity, Yu LI, Henan Univ. of Economics & Law

Constructing the Practical Teaching System of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education for Engineering College Students, pp. 885-890. , Zhanguo Zhang, Beihua Universit
Reform and Practice of University Computer Basic Course Teaching Based on Autonomous Learning, pp. 919-922. , He Junmei, Southwest University, Liu Boqin, Southwest Universit

Practice of Entrepreneurship Education in Developing Professional Competences for Computing Students, pp. 959-962. , JIN YE-ying , China Jiliang University, HUANG Jun, China Jiliang University

SaP11.4, Research and Implemention of Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Monitoring System Based on TinyOS, pp. 1022-1025. , Ye Jihua , Jiangxi Normal University, WANG Wen , Jiangxi Normal University

Posted by Tom Worthington at 4:52 PM

Best of ICCSE 2014 Vancouver

The program for the 2014 IEEE International Conference on Computer Science and Education (ICCSE 2014) to be held in Vancouver, 22-24 August, have been released. I will be speaking on "Chinese and Australian Students Learning to Work Together Online", at 15:40 and then on the panel "Curricula and Delivery of Engineering and IT Degrees in the Changing Internationalization Landscape of Higher Education" at 16:35 on 23 August . Some other items which caught my attention were:

13:20 - 13:40, SaA3.2, Enlarging Intersections between Engineering and Ethics: Thoughts on Engineering Ethics Education, pp. 63-68. , Li Ma, Dalian Univ. of Technology, Mingfeng Jiang , Dalian Univ. of Technology

13:40 - 14:00, SaA3.3, Motivational Factors for On-line Distance Learning - An Empirical Investigation, pp. 69-74. , Dr. Mona Alkhattabi, Al-Imam Muhammad Ibn Saud University

4:00 - 14:20, SaA3.4, Tutoring Model to Guide Students in Programming Courses to Create Complete and Correct Solutions, pp. 75-80. , L. H. Gonzalez-Guerra, Tecnologico de Monterrey, A. J. Leal-Flores, Tecnologico de Monterrey

14:20 - 14:40, SaA3.5, Skills Frameworks: A Tool for Reform in Information Technology Higher Education, pp. 81-86. , Mehdi Asgrahani, CPIT - New Zealand, Venky Shankararaman, Singapore Management University

14:40 - 15:00, SaA3.6, URI Online Judge Academic: A Tool for Algorithms and Programming Classes, pp. 87-90. , Jean Luca Bez, Universidade Regional Integrada, Neilor A. Tonin , Universidade Regional Integrada, Paulo R. Rodegheri, Universidade Regional Integrada

14:40 - 15:00, SaB1.1, An Automatic Classification System for the Stock Comments, pp. 93-96. , Shuyi Hong, Xiamen University, Xue Han, Xiamen University, Lirong Tian, Xiamen University, Linkai Luo , Xiamen University

14:40 - 15:00, SaB3.1, Cognitive Psychology Oriented Education with Virtual Learning and Continuous Evaluation, pp. 153-158. , S.A.R.Thilanka, Sri Lanka Inst. of Info. Technology, M.Pranavan, Sri Lanka Inst. of Info. Technology, H.M.T.N.Dayarathna, Sri Lanka Inst. of Info. Technology, P.R.Wijewantha, Sri Lanka Inst. of Info. Technology

15:00 - 15:20, SaB3.2, Virtual Blended Learning - Virtual 3D Worlds and their Integration in Teaching Scenarios, pp. 159-164. , Carsten Lecon, University of Applied Siences Aalen, Markus Herkersdorf, TriCAT

15:40 - 16:00, SaB3.4, Chinese and Australian Students Learning to Work Together Online - Proposal to Expand the New Colombo Plan to the Online Environment, pp. 170-174. , Tom Worthington , Australian National University

16:00 - 16:20, SaB3.5, Delivering Software Engineering Education Through LEGO Robotics, pp. 175-180. , Ira Weissberger , University of Virginia's College at Wise, Abrar Qureshi , University of Virginia's College at Wise, Ali Qureshi , Central High School

8:50 - 9:10, SuA3.2, Applying PBL Approach to Improve the Teaching Effect of IS Project Management Unit, pp. 251-254. , Wang Na , Shanghai Ocean University
Re-engineering Adult Education through Students' Production of Cyberart to Support Curriculum Learning, pp. 255-258. , Lucio Teles, University of Brasilia

9:30 - 9:50, SuA3.4, Research on Close Collaboration between Scientific Research Projects and Experimental Teaching, pp. 259-262. , Shou Qingyun , Tongji University, Lin Yi , Tongji University, Zang Jianbin , Tongji Universit
9:50 - 10:10, SuA3.5, An Assessment Method to Evaluate Team Project Based Engineering Design, pp. 263-266. , Jongwan Kim, Daegu University

10:10 - 10:30, SuA3.6, A New Method of Learning: M-Learning (Mobile Learning), pp. 267-270. , Manpreet Singh Bhullar, Khalsa College Patial

11:45 - 12:05, SuB1.5, Investigation about Popularity of Cloud Services on Social Culture Education Resource, pp. 291-294. , Wei Zhou, Beijing Jiaotong University, Binyue Cui, Hebei Univ. of Economics & Business, Qingguo Shi, Beijing Jiaotong University

11:25 - 11:45, SuB2.4, Using an E-Talk Pen to Promote Phonological Awareness on Communication Training, pp. 308-312. , Chien-Yu Lin , National Univ. of Tainan, Hua-Chen Chai , Da Chen Elementary

11:05 - 11:25, SuB3.3, Examining the Relationship between Epistemic Activity and Academic Achievement - Using of Scripts and Co-evaluation Strategies in a VLE, pp. 332-336. , Felipe Tirado, National Autonomous Univ. of Mexico, Guillermo Santos, National Autonomous Univ. of Mexico

11:25 - 11:45, SuB3.4, Effectiveness of Interactive Teaching Materials on Special Education and Assistive Technology, pp. 337-341. , Chien-Yu Lin , National Univ. of Tainan, Shu-hua Chen , Guei-nan Elementary School

13:40 - 14:00, SuC3.3, Intercultural Training in a Blended Learning Environment in Japanese Higher Education, pp. 402-405. , Yuko Kato, Jin-ai University, Izumi Suwa, University of Fukui, Yoshitomo Itakura , University of Fukui, Toshiyuki Hamada , University of Fukui, Jousuke Kuroiwa , University of Fukui, Tomohiro Odaka, University of Fukui

15:20 - 15:40, SuD2.3, The Correlation between Personality Type and Individual Performance on an ICT Project, pp. 441-446. , Natasha N. Vito Ferreira, University of Johannesburg, Josef J. Langerman , University of Johannesburg

14:40 - 15:00, SuD3.1, Collaborative Learning: Implication of Online Forum in English Academic Writing for Engineering Students, pp. 459-464. , Dr Voyce Li, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

15:20 - 15:40, SuD3.3, The Design of E-Learning Service Model Based on SIP Protocol, pp. 469-472. , Yiming Chen, Xiamen University, Yuliang Tang, Xiamen Universit

15:40 - 16:00, SuD3.4, A Highly Motivated Blended Learning Model Oriented to Computer Engineering Educators, pp. 473-477. , Panagiotis Angelopoulos , Computer Tech. Inst. & Press, Michael Paraskevas, Computer Tech. Inst. & Press Technological Educational Inst. of Western Greece, Isidoros Perikos, Computer Tech. Inst. & Press, Thomas Zarouchas, Computer Tech. Inst. & Press

SaP5.4, The Program of Educational Technology Ability Building for Vocational Education Teachers, pp. 762-765. , Zhang Liqin , Jiangxi Sci. & Technique Normal University, Wan chunhui, Jiangxi Water Resources Institute
A Review of "Perceptions of the Computer-Assisted Writing Program among EFL College Learners", pp. 766-769. , ZHANG Xiao-ping , Sichuan Normal University

SaP7.8, Educational Reform of Computer Application Foundation Course, pp. 834-837. , Yueping Wu , Shanghai Second Polytechnic University, Shiming Zhang, Shanghai Second Polytechnic University

English Language Teaching for Engineering Students in Chinese Higher Education in a Cross Road, Where to Go?, pp. 851-856. , Ji LI, Zhengzhou Normal Universiity, Yu LI, Henan Univ. of Economics & Law

Constructing the Practical Teaching System of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Education for Engineering College Students, pp. 885-890. , Zhanguo Zhang, Beihua Universit
Reform and Practice of University Computer Basic Course Teaching Based on Autonomous Learning, pp. 919-922. , He Junmei, Southwest University, Liu Boqin, Southwest Universit

Practice of Entrepreneurship Education in Developing Professional Competences for Computing Students, pp. 959-962. , JIN YE-ying , China Jiliang University, HUANG Jun, China Jiliang University

SaP11.4, Research and Implemention of Solar Photovoltaic Power Generation Monitoring System Based on TinyOS, pp. 1022-1025. , Ye Jihua , Jiangxi Normal University, WANG Wen , Jiangxi Normal University

e-Learning: Australia's Next Major Export Industry?

I will be speaking on "Teaching Students to Work Together Online" at the ACS e-Learning Special Interest Group, in Canberra, 3 September 2014. Between now and then I will be on a panel and presenting a paper at a conference for Chinese academics on how we can teach our students jointly online. Here are some thoughts on the subject:

Australian International Education Export Industry at Risk

Education is Australia’s fourth largest export industry, according to the Australian Government's International Education Advisory Council, earning $15.7B in 2011. For May 2014, the federal Department of Education estimates Australia has 405,000 international students, with 117,000 from China, 40,000 from India, 109,000 from other Asian countries, and 140,000 from other countries.

The government's Ministerial Coordinating Council for
International Education (MCCIE) expects international enrolments to increase 30% by 2020, adding 117,000 students. However, such predictions assume that students will continue to be educated largely as they are now: on-campus. Higher education is changing to a blended and on-line model, where students learn the basics on-line and then (perhaps) go into a classroom.

My rule of thumb is that about 80% of Higher Education can be done online.The typical student will only need to come to the campus for one day in five. If Australian educational institutions do not adopt this way of working, instead of increasing 30% by 2020, I suggest international enrolments could drop 80%. At the same time domestic enrolments could also drop by 80%, with most students studying at off-shore on-line universities.

To remain competitive, Australian educational institutions need to learn to teach students on-line. These students can then spend part of their time studying in their own country and part of their time in Australia.

Move the New Colombo Plan On-line

Australian Government is providing $100M over five years for the New Colombo Plan for Australian students to study in Asia and the Indian Ocean region. However, this is only being offered for students who physically travel and study in a classroom in another country.

This year the ANU commenced the bilingual (English and Hindi) online course ANU Engaging India for Australian and international students. Those students undertaking professionally accredited courses, such as computing, already learn internationally defined skills (IP3). Students also undertake the same online courses in different countries (ICT Sustainability). 

Part of professional training is to learn Ethics, Teamwork and Professional Communication. I propose the New Colombo Plan could be expanded online, with students in different countries learning professional skills in multi-lingual online groups. Assessment could be by e-Portfolio and courses run jointly by Australian and other institutions. 

In this way Australian students would learn to wok with their regional neighbours, fulfilling the aims of the New Colombo Plan. This would also provide a competitive advantage to attract overseas students who would learn in a culturally sensitive environment, designed to introduce them to an international working environment. This would be attractive compared to courses which simply try to package on-line the on-campus courses of a foreign university.

See paper for ICCSE 2014: Worthington, T. (2014). Chinese and Australian students learning to work together online: Proposal to Expand the New Colombo Plan to the Online Environment.

Supporting International IT Students

A panel on "Curricular and Delivery of Engineering and IT Degrees in the changing Internationalization Landscape of Higher Education" is planned for the 9th International Conference on Computer Science & Education (ICCSE 2014), at UBC, in Vancouver, August 23 2014, 4:35 to 6:05 p.m.

Internationalization is widely accepted as the process of integrating international, intercultural or global employability dimensions into research, curricular and delivery of higher education. Internationalization is measured in several ways, including 1) What percentage of students have undertaken International study abroad/Internship opportunity? 2) What are the international networks the University interacts with? 3) Do staff publish and apply for collaborative grants with overseas researchers? 4) What are percentages of staff and students born overseas or gained overseas qualification? 5) Are some subjects/courses delivered in collaboration with overseas institutions? The panel members will draw on their experience from China, UK, Canada, Australia, India and Sri Lanka on both postgraduate and undergraduate education and comment on the following two questions: 1) What are innovations and unique features in curricula development and delivery that support Internationalization? 2) How can we negotiate between national/local requirements and needs and the desire for internationalization? There will to opportunities for the participants to make brief comments and ask questions.

My paper for the conference is "Chinese and Australian students learning to work together online" and I have been asked for 3 slides for a five minute presentation:

Supporting International IT Students Online

Australian Programs for International Students:

• Colombo Plan for Cooperative Economic and Social Development in Asia and the Pacific (1951): Students to Australia
• New Colombo Plan (from 2015): Students from Australia
• ANU Engaging India (2014): Bilingual (English and Hindi) online course for international students.

Tom.Worthington, ANU,  Supporting International IT Students Online,  1

Local, National and International Requirements

IT programs already use national and international standards:

1. ICT Professional Body of Knowledge (ACS BoK)
2. International Professional Practice Partnership (IP3)
3. Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA)

Used in Australian/Canadian course ICT Sustainability 

Tom.Worthington, ANU,  Supporting International IT Students Online,  2

Propose Extending New Colombo Plan Online

• Mixed Online Groups to learn Ethics, Teamwork, Professional Communication
• e-Portfolios for Learning and Assessment 
• Run by Australian and other institutions

Paper for ICCSE 2014: Worthington, T. (2014). Chinese and Australian students learning to work together online: Proposal to Expand the New Colombo Plan to the Online Environment.

Tom.Worthington, ANU,  Supporting International IT Students Online,  3

Call for Papers on Computer Science & Education, Canada, August 2014

A Call for Papers has been issued for the 9th International Conference on Computer Science & Education (ICCSE 2014), to be held in Vancouver, Canada, 22 to 24 August 2014.The conference will be held at the University of British Columbia (UBC), topics  include, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Robotics, Green Communication, Internet of Things, Education Reform and Innovation, Curricula and Courseware Design and Life-long education. Full papers are due 17 March 2014, to be published through IEEE. I attended ICCSE 2013 in Colombo and ICCSE 2012 in Melbourne and had a good time. My papers are "A green computing professional education course online: designing and delivering a course in ICT Sustainability using Internet and eBooks" (2012) and "Synchronizing asynchronous learning - Combining synchronous and asynchronous techniques" (2013).