Computational Thinking TedTalk

I am super excited to see my teacher, Dr Hai Ning Liang from Xian Jiaotong Liverpool University, Suzhou is giving TedTalk. The title is about computational thinking. Computational thinking is about problem solving. The systematic way decompose the process to solve the problem step by step. There are a few ways to make computional thinking interesting while learning in the class:

1. Make is visible by visualize it.

2. Hands on and put creative ideas into creation (e.g. Lego Robot is like the student’s own baby)

3. Collaborative – learning with other to share, encourage and motivate each other.

4. Add some fun elements – healthy competition among the students.

You can learn more from here:

Calling for Papers – Computational Thinking CHBJ (submission: 31 Dec 2017)

Call for Contributing to a Special Issue in Computers in Human Behavior


Call for Contributing to a Special Issue in Computers in Human Behavior

Title of the Special Issue: Innovations and Technologies in Computational Thinking

Nowadays, students need to acquire skills and digital competences in accordance with 21st century needs. The ability to express ideas in a computationally meaningful way is gradually becoming one of the most essential skills for succeeding in the 21st century. Accordingly, computational thinking (CT) is considered as important as the skills of reading, writing, and arithmetic. In light of this growing recognition, ACM, Code.org, Computer Science Teachers Association, Cyber Innovation Center, and National Math and Science Initiative have developed conceptual guidelines for CT education. Research developments over the last few years have proposed new pedagogies, guidelines and resources for the development of computational thinking skills. Intuitive and student-friendly computer programming environments like Alice, Scratch, BlueJay, Greenfoot, Kodu, and educational robotics, as well as new standards and guidelines from CSTA/ACM and ISTE have been widely applied. However, despite the apparent growing body of research in the area, there is limited evidence to support the design of appropriate learning experiences to allow students to adequately develop computational thinking competences.

This special issue intends to attract contributions related to innovations and technologies to support the development of CT. Research areas of particular interest include, but are not limited to:

  • Psychological factors affecting the development of CT
  • Adaptation and personalization in CT learning environments
  • Intelligent support systems for CT
  • Design of learning environments fostering CT
  • Learning analytics in CT
  • Informal learning experiences promoting CT
  • Empirical evidence from case studies and evaluation studies ranging from K-12, to tertiary, to lifelong CT education
  • Project-based learning/capstone projects in CT education
  • Gender equity in CT education
  • Experience with innovative pedagogies in learning or/and teaching CT
  • Cognitive and metacognitive support in developing CT skills

Timeline

Paper Submission begins: October 1, 2017

End of Paper Submission: December 31, 2017

First Round of Revisions: February 2018

Revised Papers Due: April 2018

Final decisions: July 31, 2018

Anticipated Publication Date: Fall 2018

Paper submission formatting guidelines per the Journal’s Guide for Authors.

Guest editors

Charoula Angeli, Department of Education, University of Cyprus, cangeli@ucy.ac.cy

Michail Giannakos, Department of Computer Science, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), michailg@ntnu.no

Computers in Human Behavior – Artifact construction in Learning (submission: 30 April 2018)

Emerging Technologies for Artifact Construction in Learning


Call for Papers for a special issue for the Computers in Human Behavior titled “Emerging Technologies for Artifact Construction in Learning”

Guest Editors:

1) Dr. Antigoni Parmaxi [http://antigoniparmaxi.weebly.com/] 2) Prof. Panayiotis Zaphiris [http://www.zaphiris.com]

Cyprus Interaction Lab (http://cyprusinteractionlab.com/)
Cyprus University of Technology
Emails: antigoni.parmaxi@gmail.compzaphiri@cyprusinteractionlab.com

Focus of the Special Issue

The Innovating Pedagogy 2016 report claims that we are at the beginning of a learning revolution (i.e., a new era that builds and extends the impact of technology in learning in new and unanticipated ways). The goal of this special issue is to bring together different facets of emerging technologies and ground their use under the theoretical framework of constructionism. This special issue aims to include not only innovation on the use of different features of emerging technologies, but also on practices and strategies employed by practitioners and instructional designers as well as their impact on human behavior. This special issue is not constrained in the discipline of Technology-Enhanced Learning. Research on interface design, security concerns arising from the use of emerging technologies are also welcome.

Motivation for the SI

Many recent well-known successful educational activities around the world rely on emerging technologies such as social media, virtual and augmented reality, embodied technologies and mobile applications and their impact on human behavior. This special issue echoes the growing research trend towards innovations in the use of emerging technologies and makes an effort to delineate how constructionism and social constructionism ground their use. Constructionism was chosen as a theory of learning, teaching, and design that aligns well with the demands and expectations of computational culture, and emphasizes building, creating and making of shared and meaningful artifacts as a means for gaining knowledge (Papert, 1980; 1993).

Possible topics of interest

This special issue will welcome contributions on the following, though not exhaustive, list of topics:

  • How can emerging technologies embody constructionist/social constructionist elements and transform educational activities?
  • How can different features of emerging technologies support the construction of an artifact that can be meaningful to its constructors?
  • How do learners engage in meaningful artifact construction within different emerging technologies?
  • What behavioral patterns do learners display in a constructionist/social constructionist environment?

Timeline for submission:

Submission portal will be open from 15th November 2017 to 30th April 2018

Submission deadline: 30th April 2018

Author notification: September 30th, 2018

Final approval by Editor-in-chief: November 31st, 2018

Expected publication date: Early 2019

Computers in Human Behavior Journal

CHB is a Q1 Journal. It bimonthly peer-reviewed academic publish by elsevier. The most important part is CHB related to my field (HCI) and cyberpsychology (I dont know the existence of this field until today). The editor is Matthieu Guitton (Laval University, Quebec City).

In 2016, the impact factor is 3.435.