Title: The constructivist' approach to teaching computing

Authors: Paramasiven Appavoo

Addresses: Computer Science & Engineering Department, University of Mauritius, Reduit, Mauritius

Abstract: Constructivism ensures the survival of computer science graduates in the industry. According to Moore|s Law, the number of active devices that can be placed over a given area of silicon doubles every 18 months. It is becoming a known fact that the existing computerised systems may become obsolete even before a user has completed his training to fully utilising the former. The pace at which computing technologies are evolving today knows no bound. Recently, IBM created a graphene-based transistor which operates over twice the speed of silicon chips. New sets of solutions need to be devised: a) to optimise the use of new hardware capabilities; b) to cater to the emerging issues. Computer science students need to be given the appropriate tools, together with a probing mindset, to develop self capacity-building and tackle emerging problems. This paper highlights the constructivist|s approaches to teaching computing subjects at the tertiary level to develop the inquisitive minds of prospective computer scientists.

Keywords: teaching strategies; learning strategies; elementary education; classroom teaching; constructivism; computer scientists; mental models; recursion; OOP; object-oriented programming; constructivist approaches; computer science students; graduates; Moore|s Law; active devices; computerised systems; obsolete systems; obsolescence; training; computing technologies; IBM; graphene-based transistors; silicon chips; new solutions; hardware capabilities; optimisation; emerging issues; self capacity-building; tertiary education; continuing education; engineering education; life-long learning; electronic competence; e-competence; lecturers; academic staff.

DOI: 10.1504/IJCEELL.2010.037055

International Journal of Continuing Engineering Education and Life-Long Learning, 2010 Vol.20 No.3/4/5, pp.407 - 417

Published online: 22 Nov 2010 *

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