[Yr7-10it] How students understand computing concepts

[Bill Kerr]

I'm interested Paul.

When I was a science teacher I used the New Zealand Unversity of Waikato
Learning in Science Materials - they had developed whole units of work
(electricity, force etc.) which would start by teasing out existing
viewpoints held by children and build on that - I thought they were
brilliant.

wrt computing I also think it would be valuable from the perspective that
some teachers seem to believe that their students know more than they do -
well that's a can of worms so I won't say more than that at this stage

anyway, please put me on your list
regards,
- Bill
--
Bill Kerr
http://billkerr.blogspot.com/
http://beam.to/billkerr
skype: billkerr2006

On 4/28/06, Dr Paul Chandler <paul.chandler at yvg.vic.edu.au> wrote:
>
> Folks,
>
> Over the last couple of years, I've been turning an idea around in my
> mind; it's basically seeking to better understand "how students understand
> computing concepts".  For those who might know of "children's science" in
> the area of science teaching, the idea is to apply the same sorts of ideas
> to the understanding of computing concepts (and yes, I am deliberately using
> 'computing' rather than IT or ICT).  Another way to put it would be to
> 'probe the naïve understandings of computing'.
>
> I've put together some thoughts in a couple of seminars - a couple of
> years ago at a VITTA conference, and more recently at a gathering at Monash
> Uni.  I'm happy to share these around to anyone interested.
>
> Moreover, I'm trying to drum up a bit of interest in people who might be
> interested in similar sorts of things.  Without flooding the list with a
> whole lot of material which may not be of interest to everyone, it's not
> easy to give much more of an overview of what I am thinking of.  BUT if I
> have sparked your interest at all, please reply, and I'll be in touch.
>
> Thanks!
>
> --- =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
> Dr. Paul Chandler
> Professional Development Coordinator
> Yarra Valley Grammar
> paul.chandler at yvg.vic.edu.au
> ICQ: 54193141
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