Introducing programming to the Irish primary and secondary curricula

June 20, 2017

Yesterday the Irish government anounced more strategy for their plan to introduce programming to the primary and secondary curricula. As currently set out, this will take place through the mathematics curriculum (at least at the primary level). As part of the wider plan, Computer Science will be introduced as a secondary level (high school) subject, … More Introducing programming to the Irish primary and secondary curricula

Stack Exchange for Computer Science Educators now in public beta!

June 15, 2017

A Stack Exchange site for Computer Science Educators went to public beta yesterday. Stack Exchange beta phases last at least 90 days, during which the powers that be keep an eye on key stats to decide if the site shows viability. The Stack Exchange Area 51 site where the stats mentioned below are continuously updated can … More Stack Exchange for Computer Science Educators now in public beta!

The New York Times on cheating in university programming courses

May 30, 2017

Yesterday the New York Times published an article on cheating in university computer programming courses. To anyone who has taught a programming course, much of the narrative is probably all too familiar. Nonetheless, it is interesting to see it featured in mainstream media, it is helpful to hear about what is happening at different universities, … More The New York Times on cheating in university programming courses

Computer science in China: high employment, highest satisfaction and salaries

May 24, 2017

Each spring I teach on University College Dublin‘s Software Engineering and Internet of Things Engineering Degrees in Beijing. The degree is offered by the Beijing Dublin International College (Chinese language link), a recognised college of UCD and the Beijing University of Technology. Back in October, I reported on China topping the list of best programming … More Computer science in China: high employment, highest satisfaction and salaries

Irish computer science dropout rate falls

May 1, 2017

The number of students dropping out of Irish computer science courses before beginning their second year has fallen for the first time in several years. This is welcome news, particularly as in recent years, Computer Science courses have had some of the worst progression rates of all courses. This year* their progression rate has risen … More Irish computer science dropout rate falls

The enhancing compiler error messages saga: the saga continues

March 31, 2017

I was sorry to have missed Raymond Pettit, John Homer and Roger Gee presenting the latest installment of what is becoming the enhanced compiler error messages saga at SIGCSE earlier this month. Their paper “Do Enhanced Compiler Error Messages Help Students?: Results Inconclusive” [1] was two-pronged. It contrasted the work of Denny et al. [2] (which … More The enhancing compiler error messages saga: the saga continues

Party like it’s 2018: Computer Science to be offered in Irish secondary curriculum in 2018, not 2019

February 9, 2017

Two months ago I wrote about news reporting that Computer Science was to be offered in Irish secondary curriculum by 2019. So I was a bit surprised (but after living in Ireland for the best part of 17 years not entirely surprised) when I read this week that Computer Science is to be offered in Irish … More Party like it’s 2018: Computer Science to be offered in Irish secondary curriculum in 2018, not 2019

Computer Science to be offered in Irish secondary curriculum by 2019

December 9, 2016

According to RTE news, the Irish Minister for Education has said that Computer Science, including programming, will be a Leaving Certificate subject by 2019, paving the way for Irish students to have the option to study the subject at secondary school. However the nature of the curriculum has not been settled, nor is not known … More Computer Science to be offered in Irish secondary curriculum by 2019

You are what you measure: Enhancing compiler error messages effectively

November 18, 2016

Compiler Error Messages (CEMs) play a particularly essential role for programming students as they often have little experience to draw upon, leaving CEMs as their primary guidance on error correction. Further, they provide immediate feedback, with implications discussed in this post. In the absence of an instructor, the compiler and its messages are the only … More You are what you measure: Enhancing compiler error messages effectively