Computing Education
A.Y. 2022/2023
Learning objectives
The course provides practical and useful tools for teaching informatics as a scientific discipline, as well as opportunities to revisit and analyze its basic concepts in depth. Students will be involved in workshops designed to explore an informatics theme and experience first-hand the application of active and cooperatives teaching techniques. The course is primarily addressed to students who already have an undergraduate degree in informatics, or with good knowledge on the subject. The participation of teachers from schools of all levels is welcome, even in the absence of a specific training in informatics, as they will be able to actively contribute to the class due to their experience in the field.
Expected learning outcomes
Students will be able to propose all workshops seen during the course, adapting their content to the age of learners and evaluating the effectiveness of their work.
Lesson period: Second semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
Second semester
Course syllabus
Computer programming education:
- syntactic, conceptual, and strategic knowledge
- the notional machine and students' misconceptions
- program comprehension
- goals and plans, input, iteration plans, variable roles
- plan composition for aggregate tasks
Constructivist approach to computing education:
- Learning: elements from the theoretical framework
- Methodologies, strategies, and tools for constructivist education (team work, learning styles and strategies, problem-based learning, active learning, metacognitive reflection, active listening, teacher as facilitator)
- Repository of unplugged and computer-based activities about fundamental topics in computing (information representation, concept of algorithm, algorithmic thinking, introductory programming, analysis of algorithms)
Competency oriented education in informatics:
- EQF and competency oriented design
- Quality dimensions for a teaching unit: design, planning, assessment
- Algomotricity
- Learning goals (knowledge, skills, competencies) relative to computing topics
- Computational thinking
- Competencies' assessment, rubrics, authentic tasks
- Design and planning of teaching units
- syntactic, conceptual, and strategic knowledge
- the notional machine and students' misconceptions
- program comprehension
- goals and plans, input, iteration plans, variable roles
- plan composition for aggregate tasks
Constructivist approach to computing education:
- Learning: elements from the theoretical framework
- Methodologies, strategies, and tools for constructivist education (team work, learning styles and strategies, problem-based learning, active learning, metacognitive reflection, active listening, teacher as facilitator)
- Repository of unplugged and computer-based activities about fundamental topics in computing (information representation, concept of algorithm, algorithmic thinking, introductory programming, analysis of algorithms)
Competency oriented education in informatics:
- EQF and competency oriented design
- Quality dimensions for a teaching unit: design, planning, assessment
- Algomotricity
- Learning goals (knowledge, skills, competencies) relative to computing topics
- Computational thinking
- Competencies' assessment, rubrics, authentic tasks
- Design and planning of teaching units
Prerequisites for admission
The course is targeted mainly to students with a bachelor in CS or a related discipline with good knowledge of CS fundamentals.
Teachers are also welcome, even without a formal education in computing; they can contribute with their classroom experience.
Teachers are also welcome, even without a formal education in computing; they can contribute with their classroom experience.
Teaching methods
Active learning methods, both individual and small-group works. Attendance is strongly recommended.
Teaching Resources
Course webpage: https://mameli.docenti.di.unimi.it/didainfo
Textbook: Guide to Teaching Computer Science. An Activity-Based Approach. Authors: Orit Hazzan, Tami Lapidot, Noa Ragonis. Springer 2014.
Slides presented in class and worksheets for the activities, besides related articles, will be made available to the students through the course's web page.
Recordings of frontal lessons and other video material (recorded in year 2020/21) will also be available.
Textbook: Guide to Teaching Computer Science. An Activity-Based Approach. Authors: Orit Hazzan, Tami Lapidot, Noa Ragonis. Springer 2014.
Slides presented in class and worksheets for the activities, besides related articles, will be made available to the students through the course's web page.
Recordings of frontal lessons and other video material (recorded in year 2020/21) will also be available.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of a written test, lasting two hours, followed by an oral test.
In the written test, students will be asked to answer open-ended questions that require to analyze some teaching activities and to discuss their characteristics. The evaluation, expressed as pass/fail, is based on the level of mastery of the topics, the clarity, and correct use of language.
The oral test, which is accessed after passing the written test, is based on the discussion of the written test answers. Its evaluation, expressed on a scale between 0 and 30, takes into account the level of mastery of the topics, the clarity of exposition, and the correct use of language.
In the written test, students will be asked to answer open-ended questions that require to analyze some teaching activities and to discuss their characteristics. The evaluation, expressed as pass/fail, is based on the level of mastery of the topics, the clarity, and correct use of language.
The oral test, which is accessed after passing the written test, is based on the discussion of the written test answers. Its evaluation, expressed on a scale between 0 and 30, takes into account the level of mastery of the topics, the clarity of exposition, and the correct use of language.
INF/01 - INFORMATICS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 48 hours
Professors:
Lonati Violetta, Morpurgo Anna Chiara Giovanna
Professor(s)