20560 Seminar: Topics in Computer Science Education

Credits: 3 advanced seminar credits in Computer Science

Prerequisites: At least 36 credits in Computer Science. Students must also fulfill all English requirements and take bibliographic instruction in the Library. Only students who have successfully completed, or are about to complete, at least one advanced course in Computer Science may enroll in a seminar. Seminar enrollment is subject to the written approval of the faculty member responsible for seminars.

The seminar is based on a reader edited by Judith Gal-Ezer and Ela Zur.

Objectives: To address topics which provide a broad and in-depth perspective of the field and are usually not taught in undergraduate degree programs in Computer Science (CS); To present and discuss problems that have arisen in CS teaching and to offer solutions and approaches for dealing with them; To learn about CS curricula in Israel and abroad, on the university and high school level.

The course is recommended for teachers of CS who are interested in expanding their knowledge and for prospective teachers who are about to complete their bachelor’s degree in CS or who have a degree in CS. The course is also offered to those interested in the topics below. Students are required to participate in tutorials, submit a seminar paper and present the paper orally.

Topics:1 History in a nutshell; What is CS?; CS curricula; Teachers of CS; Topics in CS teaching; Innovative approaches to CS teaching.


1Topics may change.