|
|
 |
|
|
|
A First Timer's Experience at SIGCSE
|
|
| |
by Leigh Ann Sudol
Fox Lane High School
Bedford, New York
|
|
| | Destination: Reno, Nevada
Bright lights and glorious prizes welcomed me, and I had only reached the hotel lobby! The glitz and glamour of the location of the 2003 SIGCSE conference in Reno, Nevada, did not distract many of the conference participants, and as a "first timer" my hardest decision was trying to decide which sessions to attend, not which slot machine or gaming table to gamble at.
Upon arriving at the hotel (after the airline had left my bags in Denver) I began to feel a little lost, and I must admit to wandering aimlessly around the hotel/conference center. My suitcase was delivered that evening, and upon picking up my registration packet, the wandering completely ceased. I returned to my room that evening like a child with a new Christmas toy as I read through the final schedule and proceedings. So many good sessions at the same time! How was I ever to choose? Mingled in with my excitement were other worries: would I know anyone? Could I find my way around the conference? Who was going to take notes for me at the sessions that I was unable to attend? A little jet-lagged, but feeling much better once my suitcase was finally delivered, I went to sleep excited and a little apprehensive at the same time.
About ACM and SIGCSE
The Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) is an international scientific and educational organization that is dedicated to advancing the arts, sciences, and applications of information technology. ACM is a leading resource for computing professionals and students working in the various fields of information technology. The ACM Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE) "provides a forum for problems common among educators working to develop, implement, and/or evaluate computing programs, curricula, and courses, as well as syllabi, laboratories, and other elements of teaching and pedagogy." Each year, SIGCSE hosts an annual symposium. I attend the 2003 SIGCSE symposium from March 18 to 23.
Day One
The first day of the conference was absolutely amazing. The general session featured Eric Roberts from Stanford University, who won the Award for Outstanding Contributions to Computer Science for 2003. His talk resonated with the issues that I was facing in my own classroom and helped to reassure me that this would not be a conference solely for college faculty. Over the next few days, the action in the casino was dim compared to what was going on in the conference. Many high school computer science teachers are the only CS teachers in their school and often in their district. To be in a place where over one thousand CS teachers gathered to share pedagogy, best practices, hints, tips, and questions truly refreshed my spirit and reminded me that I am not alone in the quest to educate the next generation of computer science professionals.
Conference Highlights
One highlight of the conference was meeting and talking with the creators of BlueJ. I attended a session called "Birds of a Feather" where Michael Kölling and others asked for feedback about BlueJ, information about how people were using it, and suggestions for improvement. They even gave us a sneak peak at what might be coming next. The dialog at the session was typical of the interactions I took part in throughout the week. Experienced faculty were more than willing share insights, and newer teachers were eager to share or question any issues that might have arisen out of regular conversation. This was one of the primary reasons that I did not feel alone during the conference even though I made the trip by myself.
Sessions addressed a wide variety of topics: gender issues, differing learning styles, methods of assessment, interesting projects, and of course the AP CS shift to Java in 2004. (A link to the conference's 2003 final program can be found below in "See also.") But perhaps what excited me the most about the conference was the people I met and talked to, and that I shared ideas, projects, and e-mail addresses with. I know that no matter what, I made contacts at both the high school and college level that will prove invaluable to me for years to come.
Success!
I rate a conference as successful if I am enthused by the material presented, gain new ideas for immediate application in my classroom, determine several long-term changes that I would like to implement, and most of all, if I make contact with the type of people that I know will help me further the education of the students I teach. By these standards SIGSCE 2003 was a success and has inspired me to continue to look for funding to attend again next year.
2004 SIGCSE Symposium
The 2004 SIGCSE Symposium will be held in Norfolk, Virginia, from March 3 to 7. Friday has been High School Teachers day for the past few years. If you cannot attend the entire symposium, consider attending on Friday and Saturday. Numerous presentations that focus on AP CS topics and the teaching of computer science are planned -- visit the SIGCSE Web site in "See also" below for more information.
Leigh Ann Sudol is a mathematics and computer science teacher at Fox Lane High School in Bedford, New York. She has been teaching AP CS for the past three years at Fox Lane, and for one year before that at Stranahan High School in Florida. Leigh Ann is also an adjunct professor at NYU's School of Continuing and Professional Studies where she teaches Java programming via an online course.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Course Home Pages