Panel on Revitalized Undergraduate Computing Education Jesse M. Heines Dept. of Computer Science University of Massachusetts Lowell Jesse M. Heines Dept. of Computer Science University of Massachusetts Lowell ACM SIGCSE 2009 Chattanooga, TN ACM SIGCSE 2009 Chattanooga, TN March 5, 2009

2 connecting Computer Science to Art, Music, and Theatre through interdisciplinary courses that highlight computational thinking projects involve multiple tasks, performed by multiple people, that must come together by a specific date to achieve a desired result each student must “perform” his or her task in a way that can be integrated into the final product, as in a performance or a show connecting Computer Science to Art, Music, and Theatre through interdisciplinary courses that highlight computational thinking projects involve multiple tasks, performed by multiple people, that must come together by a specific date to achieve a desired result each student must “perform” his or her task in a way that can be integrated into the final product, as in a performance or a show

3 Performamatics: Interdisciplinary Course Models Synchronized –pairings of upper-level courses for majors –joint project developed within the two courses –courses remain independent Hybrid –courses open to all students across the university –General Education (“GenEd”) credit –integrated, two instructors in the classroom Synchronized –pairings of upper-level courses for majors –joint project developed within the two courses –courses remain independent Hybrid –courses open to all students across the university –General Education (“GenEd”) credit –integrated, two instructors in the classroom

4 Performamatics: Synchronized Courses To Date Graphical User Interface Programming + Web Art and Design –artistic & human factors program enhancements Graphical User Interface Programming + General Music Education Methods –software for creative music notations Software Engineering + Introduction to Theatrical Design –software for theatrical lighting and scenic design Graphical User Interface Programming + Web Art and Design –artistic & human factors program enhancements Graphical User Interface Programming + General Music Education Methods –software for creative music notations Software Engineering + Introduction to Theatrical Design –software for theatrical lighting and scenic design

5 Performamatics: Hybrid Courses To Date Artbotics ( predecessor, model ) –the use of robotics to create new media art Tangible Interaction Design –exploring how people interact with designed and computational objects in their daily lives Sound Thinking –the art and science of digital audio –note: I am presenting specifically on Music Performamatics on Saturday at 9:45 am Artbotics ( predecessor, model ) –the use of robotics to create new media art Tangible Interaction Design –exploring how people interact with designed and computational objects in their daily lives Sound Thinking –the art and science of digital audio –note: I am presenting specifically on Music Performamatics on Saturday at 9:45 am

6 Performamatics: Sample Exhibits: Tang Int Des The Revolving Museum, Lowell, MA The Discovery Museums, Acton, MA The Revolving Museum, Lowell, MA The Discovery Museums, Acton, MA

7 Performamatics: Sample Programs: CS+Art Art students’ influence on Computer Science students’ programs

8 Performamatics: Sample Programs: CS+Music Computer Science students’ implementations of Music students’ creative notations

9 Performamatics: Issues Making time in tightly packed curricula –“GenEd” credit helps address this issue “FTE” credit for professors in hybrid courses “Research” credit for profs in different depts –recognition in the P &T process Campus geography Sustainability –recognition by department, which is often more focused on core courses Making time in tightly packed curricula –“GenEd” credit helps address this issue “FTE” credit for professors in hybrid courses “Research” credit for profs in different depts –recognition in the P &T process Campus geography Sustainability –recognition by department, which is often more focused on core courses

10 Performamatics: Benefits Grounding of theory in real applications Exposure to other ways of thinking –through interaction with other majors Attraction of majors with new interests –consideration of BA in CS to complement BS Revitalization of faculty as well as students –attraction of new faculty in related disciplines New interdisciplinary research opportunities –invitations to work with other faculty Grounding of theory in real applications Exposure to other ways of thinking –through interaction with other majors Attraction of majors with new interests –consideration of BA in CS to complement BS Revitalization of faculty as well as students –attraction of new faculty in related disciplines New interdisciplinary research opportunities –invitations to work with other faculty

11 Performamatics: Future Address issues at University level –our co-PIs are now on Univ.-level committees Expand successes into a formal program –develop add’l courses & formal concentration (CPATH) Expand successes into pipeline programs –develop closer ties with high and middle schools (BPC) –coordinate with NSF-funded Mass. CAITE project (Commonwealth Alliance for Information Technology Education) Build on alliances with other institutions –refinement and replication of our efforts (Artbotics replication is already underway) Address issues at University level –our co-PIs are now on Univ.-level committees Expand successes into a formal program –develop add’l courses & formal concentration (CPATH) Expand successes into pipeline programs –develop closer ties with high and middle schools (BPC) –coordinate with NSF-funded Mass. CAITE project (Commonwealth Alliance for Information Technology Education) Build on alliances with other institutions –refinement and replication of our efforts (Artbotics replication is already underway)

Jesse M. Heines, Ed.D. Dept. of Computer Science Univ. of Massachusetts Lowell Jesse M. Heines, Ed.D. Dept. of Computer Science Univ. of Massachusetts Lowell ACM SIGCSE 2009 Chattanooga, TN ACM SIGCSE 2009 Chattanooga, TN March 5, 2009 This work is supported by the National Science Foundation CPATH Program under Grant No