Feedback perceptions: preliminary analysis of semistructured group interviews with first-year bachelor students of Computer Science

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ljubov van Beek ◽  
Maartje van den Bogaard ◽  
Marc de Vries
Keyword(s):  
Computer Science ◽  
Preliminary Analysis ◽  
First Year ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Feedback Perceptions

Wiki as a Tool of Choice for Students’ Team Assignments

2013 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Živana Komlenov ◽  
Zoran Budimac ◽  
Zoran Putnik ◽  
Mirjana Ivanović
Keyword(s):  
Software Engineering ◽  
Computer Science ◽  
Science Studies ◽  
Team Formation ◽  
Formation Mechanisms ◽  
First Year ◽  
Joint Work ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Team Projects ◽  
Collaborative Activities

This paper presents the results of the empirical research based on the experiences in using wiki as means of introducing collaborative activities in two different courses at the same time – an introductory eBusiness course for the first-year students, as well as the course in software engineering for students at the last year of Computer Science studies. Comparing and contrasting the results accomplished by these two groups of students offer interesting insights in how wiki as a tool can contribute both to the efficiency of the assignment solving process and the transparency and fairness of teamwork evaluation. Students’ opinions and feelings emerging during the work on wiki assignments and in respect to the evaluation of their joint work were also investigated. Finally, attention was paid also to the effect of the applied team formation mechanisms on the final results of team projects.

The value of a semi-formal peer mentorship program for first-year students’ studies, socialization and adaptation

2020 ◽  
pp. 146978742094521
Author(s):  
Art Tsang
Keyword(s):  
First Year ◽  
Peer Mentors ◽  
First Year Students ◽  
Mentorship Program ◽  
Peer Mentorship ◽  
Mentor Relationships ◽  
University Life ◽  
Transitional Challenges ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Adaptation To College

Mentoring is a widespread practice in different sectors in society. It is particularly prevalent in higher education. Many have acknowledged the various transitional challenges encountered by first-year tertiary-level students. Greater support is therefore needed for this particular student group. This mixed-methods year-long case study examined the value of a semi-formal peer mentorship program for 10 first-year students who were low-achievers. It focused on the assistance provided by peer mentors for their studies, socialization, and adaptation to college/university life. The three mentors’ views of the program were also explored. Data were collected via questionnaires administered three times to the mentees and end-of-program group interviews for both the mentees and mentors. The overall findings show that the students perceived the assistance from the mentors to be useful for academic studies, socialization, and adaptation to college/university life. However, their perceptions varied across the entire year. The metaphors used by the mentees to describe their mentors—shepherds, torches and candlewax—depicted different facets of the mentee-mentor relationships and the value of the program. The study highlights the value of such semi-formal peer mentoring for low-achieving first-year students especially for institutions which lack resources.

The Influence of Experience, Culture and Spatial Visualization Ability on Users' Attitudes and Anxiety Towards Computer Use

2011 ◽  
pp. 269-280
Author(s):  
Pieter Blignaut ◽  
Theo McDonald ◽  
Janse Tolmie
Keyword(s):  
Computer Science ◽  
Computer Use ◽  
Computer Anxiety ◽  
Spatial Visualization ◽  
First Year ◽  
Science Students ◽  
African Students ◽  
Independent Variables ◽  
Two Independent Variables ◽  
Visualization Ability

The attitude towards computer-related tasks, computer anxiety, and spatial visualization ability (SVA) of a group of first-year computer science students were measured just before their study commenced. The results were analyzed empirically based on two independent variables, i.e., culture and computer experience. It was found that African and European users generally have the same attitude towards computer use. Users’ attitudes improved after experience with computer-related tasks. African students experienced significantly higher levels of computer anxiety than their European counterparts with the same amount of experience. It was also found that African users generally have a lower SVA than European users. Users with higher SVA generally have a better attitude towards working with computers and experience a lower level of computer anxiety.

Projecting the Impact of Information Technology on Work and Skills in the 2030s

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stuart W. Elliott
Keyword(s):  
Information Technology ◽  
Computer Science ◽  
Preliminary Analysis ◽  
Research Literature ◽  
It Capabilities ◽  
Recent Computer ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Further Development ◽  
Future Effect

The research literature in computer science provides a way of understanding the growing capabilities of information technology (IT) and anticipating their future effect on work and skills. This chapter reviews a set of recent computer science articles to identify the IT capabilities that have been demonstrated in research settings. These capabilities are compared to information on occupational ability requirements to identify occupations that are potentially vulnerable to displacement as demonstrated IT capabilities are refined and applied over the next couple decades. The chapter’s preliminary analysis suggests that occupations representing 82 percent of current employment will be potentially vulnerable to displacement by IT in the near future. More rigorous versions of the chapter’s preliminary analysis should be carried out once or twice each decade to track the further development of IT capabilities and regularly update our understanding of their likely consequences for work and skills.

Beyond course work: expanding what’s valued in computer science degree programs

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seungoh Paek ◽  
Peter Leong ◽  
Philip M. Johnson ◽  
Carleton Moore
Keyword(s):  
Computer Science ◽  
Extracurricular Activities ◽  
Real World ◽  
Active Role ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
First Year ◽  
Online Application ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Community Activities ◽  
Innovation Competence

PurposeAs the field of Computer Science (CS) continues to diversify and expand, the need for undergraduates to explore career possibilities and develop personalized study paths has never been greater. This reality presents a challenge for CS departments. How do the students striving to become competent professionals in an ever-changing field of study? How do they do this efficiently and effectively? This study addresses such questions by introducing RadGrad, an online application combining features of social networks, degree planners and serious games.Design/methodology/approachRadGrad application is designed to promote participation in extracurricular activities, value real-world experience and provide guidance for students planning their degrees. What follows is an exploration of how the application was designed, along with an analysis of how students used it in its first year.FindingsFindings suggest RadGrad helped students to participate in relevant community activities and take an active role in planning their degrees.Originality/valueThe paper describes the features of the application, introducing how the concept of Innovation, Competence and Experience (ICE) scores – rather than a GPAs – were used to motivate undergraduates to participate in extracurricular activities. Initial results suggest RadGrad and the concept ICE scores can be applied to any field where students are encouraged to gain real-world experience as part of their degree program. Lessons learned and future directions are discussed.

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