About computational reasoning

SFI 2016 will address the new Gen Ed objective of computational reasoning (CR). Find our what CR is and how you can infuse it into a course that doesn’t have programming. Dr. Jim Kurose, Assistant Director of the National Science Foundation for the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), will be our keynote speaker on June 2.

This is how the Faculty Senate is defining the Gen Ed objective of Computational Reasoning.

5b. Reason Computationally: Computational thinking is a problem-solving process that includes (but is not limited to) the following characteristics:

  • Formulating problems in a way that enables us to use a computer and other tools to help solve them;
  • Logically organizing and analyzing data;
  • Representing data through abstractions such a models and simulations;
  • Automating solutions through algorithmic thinking (a series of ordered steps);
  • Identifying, analyzing, and implementing possible solutions with the goal of achieving the most efficient and effective combination of steps and resources;
  • Generalizing and transferring this problem-solving process to a wide variety of problems.

Example: In this course, we will use a big dataset to analyze the spread of the Zika virus and make predictions about its transmittal geographically as well as the economic, social and environmental impact.

Computational thinking for all

Date: Thursday, June 2
Time: 
9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Location: 
Mitchell Hall Theater

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Jim Kurose

Jim Kurose    
Assistant Director of NSF for the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE), National Science Foundation

Dr. Jim Kurose is the Assistant Director of the National Science Foundation (NSF) for the Computer and Information Science and Engineering (CISE). He leads the CISE Directorate, with an annual budget of more than $900 million, in its mission to uphold the nation’s leadership in scientific discovery and engineering innovation through its support of fundamental research in computer and information science and engineering and transformative advances in cyberinfrastructure. Dr. Kurose also serves as co-chair of the Networking and Information Technology Research and Development Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council Committee on Technology, facilitating the coordination of networking and information technology research and development efforts across Federal agencies.  Find out more here.

Infusing computational reasoning into the curriculum

Date: Thursday, June 2
Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon
Location: 208 Gore Hall

Presenters:

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Chrystalla Mouza

Chrystalla Mouza    
Associate Professor, School of Education

Dr. Chrystalla Mouza is an associate professor of Instructional Technology. She earned an Ed.D., M.Ed., and M.A. in Instructional Technology and Media from Teachers College, Columbia University and completed post-doctoral work at the Educational Testing Service (ETS). She has expertise in the learning sciences including teacher learning, applications of technology in K-12 classrooms, and teaching and learning outcomes in ubiquitous and mobile computing environments. She is a principal investigator on several projects funded by the Delaware Department of Education to improve teacher quality in high-need schools, a co- PI on a National Science Foundation grant that will provide teacher professional development in computational thinking, and the learning scientist on two National Science Foundation projects that seek to improve climate change education by providing effective professional development to teachers. Dr. Mouza is the recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Research in Teacher Education Award from the Association of Teacher Educators and serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Technology and Teacher Education.

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Lori Pollock

Lori Pollock    
Professor, Computer & Information Sciences

Lori Pollock is a Professor in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences at the University of Delaware.  Her research currently focuses on program analysis for building better software maintenance tools, optimizing compilers for modern computer architectures, and software testing. Her research has been continuously supported through the years by numerous grants from the National Science Foundation and the Army Research Laboratory.  Lori Pollock teaches courses primarily in compiler construction, parallel programming, automatic program analysis and transformation, and software testing. She was awarded the University of Delaware’s Excellence in Teaching Award in 2001.

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Zoubeida Dagher

Zoubeida Dagher    
Professor, School of Education

Dr. Zoubeida R. Dagher is professor of science education at the School of Education and a Faculty Fellow at the Center for Science, Ethics, and Public Policy, University of Delaware. She is currently serving as President of the International History and Philosophy of Science Teaching [IHPST] Group. Her research interests include the nature of scientific methods and practices and representations of scientific epistemology in science curriculum and instruction. Dr. Dagher has coauthored a book titled: Reconceptualizing the Nature of Science for Science Education: Scientific Knowledge, Practices and Other Family Categories (2014).

Moderators:

Kevin Guidry    
Senior Research Analyst, Center for Teaching and Assessment of Learning

Kevin R. Guidry is Senior Research Analyst at the UD Center for Teaching and Assessment of Learning. He works with faculty on exploring new pedagogies and improving existing teaching practices to enhance student learning. Guidry specializes in assessment of student learning and survey methodology having worked on teaching, learning, and assessment research and practice at levels ranging from individual courses to projects spanning hundreds of colleges and universities.

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Kathy Pusecker

Kathy Pusecker    
Acting Director, Center for Teaching and Assessment of Learning

Kathleen Langan Pusecker is the Acting Director of the Center for Teaching and Assessment of Learning at the University of Delaware. She establishes and maintains relationships with faculty members, Chairs, Deans, and other senior internal constituencies and external agencies, to include national accreditation bodies. She also serves on the Faculty Senate General Education Committee that passed new goals in November 2014. Her responsibilities include assisting UD in addressing the Middle States Commission on Higher Education accreditation standards related to the assessment of general education and student learning. She helps to select and develop tools and oversees their implementation and the analysis and reporting of data. Pusecker establishes critical communications and coordination with internal constituencies and University senior decision-makers to address issues that may affect execution/implementation of University strategic plans, policies and programs. In addition, Pusecker publishes the reports of student learning outcomes for the College Portrait.

 

Five minutes of fame

Date: Thursday, June 2
Time: 
2:15 – 3:15 p.m.
Location: 
104 Gore Hall

Five Minutes of Fame is a fast-paced session where you can pick up ten exciting ideas, technologies, projects, or resources, all in five minute doses. Presentations can come from any faculty or staff participant at this year’s institute. Want to be considered for this year’s list? E-mail your idea to faculty-commons@udel.edu


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