pbh@sbcs.sunysb.edu (Peter B. Henderson) (04/30/91)
If you are interested in attending this workshop, there is still room
for more participants. Contact Peter Henderson, pbh@sbcs.sunysb.edu or
call 516-632-8463/8470.
CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING IN THE
FOUNDATIONS OF COMPUTER SCIENCE
A Workshop Sponsored by the
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Undergraduate Faculty Enhancement Program
June 17 - June 28
SUNY AT STONY BROOK
STONY BROOK, LONG ISLAND, N.Y.
Dr. Peter B. Henderson
Dr. David L. Ferguson
Dr. Alan C. Tucker
Motivation: Have you observed that many students in introductory com-
puter science courses possess very weak problem solving skills, lack
basic mathematical maturity, have poor oral and written communication
skills, and are not capable of abstraction at the level necessary to
design good algorithmic solutions? This workshop will introduce you
to new approaches for teaching computer science which address these
issues. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving in the Foundations of
Computer Science will stress problem solving, mathematics, the impor-
tant relationships between mathematics and computer science, and
mathematics as a tool for problem solving and understanding fundamen-
tal computer science concepts.
Objectives
o Demonstrate effective ways for integrating problem solving
and discrete mathematics into computer science courses.
o Provide an overview of mathematical concepts fundamental
to problem solving in computer science.
o Learn how mathematics can be used as a tool for computer
science problem solving, thinking, and abstraction.
o Introduce new computer science problem solving paradigms
founded upon mathematical principles.
o Discuss curriculum reform and current approaches to teach-
ing introductory computer science courses.
o Provide hands-on laboratory experience with educational
software, computer tools, and new programming languages
founded on mathematical principles.
o Develop new educational materials which incorporate
mathematics and problem solving techniques into courses
you will be teaching.
o Establish a newsletter to maintain communication with
other workshop participants.
Selection of Participants
Participants will be selected from applicants who are interested in
integrating problem solving and mathematics into computer science
courses, particularly at the introductory level. The workshop is
limited to 25 participants. Qualified minority and women faculty
are especially encouraged to apply.
Expenses
The National Science Foundation will cover the following partici-
pant costs:
1) Room and board for the two week workshop.
2) All instructional fees
3) All instructional supplies
Participants, or home institutions, are responsible for travel
expenses.
Facilities
Most of the Computer Science Department's computing facilities will
be available to participants. This includes a network over 130 SUN
and HP workstations, and an Apple Macintosh laboratory. Documenta-
tion describing the use of the computing facilities and important
features will be sent to participants two weeks prior to the start
of the workshop.
Participants will have access to campus library facilities includ-
ing the Computer Science, Engineering, and Main libraries. A col-
lection of text books and reading material relevant to the workshop
will be available in the Computer Science Library.
Recreation
Participants will be provided with passes to the university gym-
nasium, locker room, pool, and tennis, squash, and racket ball
courts. Outdoor facilities (track, playing fields, and volleyball
courts) will also be available. In addition, participants can
enjoy Long Island's numerous recreational facilities, including
beaches, museums, cultural events, and of course New York City,
which is easily accessible by train.
Application Procedure
Applicants should supply the following information:
(1) Name, institution, department mailing address, and phone
number.
(2) A brief vita (maximum of three pages).
(3) List of all undergraduate computer science courses taught dur-
ing the past three years.
(4) A one page essay describing your philosophy of teaching com-
puter science and your commitment to teaching computer sci-
ence. With respect to your teaching explain how you expect to
benefit from this workshop.
(5) A letter from your chair or dean supporting your participa-
tion. This letter should include institutional financial com-
mitments such as travel expenses, stipends, etc.
(6) Applicants are invited, but under no obligation, to supply the
following information: Sex and Ethnic/Racial Status.
Mail applications to Peter Henderson, Department of Computer Sci-
ence, SUNY at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, N.Y. 11794-4400. Applica-
tions are due May 16, 1991.
Electronic mail address for questions: pbh@sbcs.sunysb.edu