Mathematics is a fundamental intellectual tool in computing, but computing is increasingly used as a key component in mathematics and there are obvious connections between computing and mathematics in the areas of numerical analysis, logic and number theory. Computer science has had an impact on many branches of mathematics – replacing existing proofs by computer…
Two Prime Ministers were sitting in a room discussing affairs of state. Suddenly a man bursts in, apoplectic with fury, shouting and stamping and banging his fist on the desk. The resident prime minister admonishes him: “Peter,” he says, “kindly remember Rule Number 6,” whereupon Peter is instantly restored to complete calm, apologises, and withdraws. …
Many of us who have attended Higher Education leave with an award and the technical skills we have developed. However what about the behavioural and the emotional development of our graduates? Were they taught how to understand or govern emotions, or how to reflect on the purpose of life? Perhaps schools and universities should offer some further guidance…
Following on from my previous post on the Retention of Computing Students, I wanted to examine the retention literature and present the theoretical models underpinning a students decision to withdraw from their course in more detail. As I stated previously, in the field of academic student retention literature Tinto’s model is held in high regard and…
So I was doing some reading on the concept of mental models. So much of what we do, accomplish, achive, don’t do – well is all mental! Mental Models have been used in a number of research areas as an effective and insightful approach to studying the behaviours and beliefs of individuals and organizations. Defined…
(A paper submitted to the 2001 IEEE Conference on the History of Telecommunications, Student paper winner for Europe and Asia.) Changes in the telecommunications industry over the past decades have been significant. The last 20 years has seen a dramatic growth in the dependence of industry and commerce on telecommunications and wireless technologies. Nonetheless the laying…
Student non-completion on computing courses is still an issue!
“There is a tendency in our planning to confuse the unfamiliar with the improbable” – Thomas Schelling, Harvard economist, in reference to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour Although the above quote is not at all in reference to education or technology – it nonetheless is related and important. There will inevitably be a wall in…
Resilience is the ability the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity; the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness. Academic resilience therefore can be understood as the ability of students and/or staff to achieve appropriately good educational outcomes despite adversity. It’s not rocket science. For positive progress of staff and students facing…
I recently listened to Thomas Shea’s podcast @ThomShea – a retired navy seal; and the learning is insightful. Out of field learning is always special I think, check out the podcast and particularly episode 16! @fergus_connolly https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/unbreakable-podcast-with-thom-shea/id1198039216?mt=2#episodeGuid=a33f507262a30f907fcbd0489515306d
