Prof. Paul Curzon

Queen Mary University of London

Title of the talk:

Semantic Waves and Teaching Concepts Effectively with Unplugged Computing

Abstract :

Unplugged computing is a powerful way to teach computing concepts. It involves teaching away from the computer, making abstract ideas physical and tangible, using games, puzzles, magic, role play, storytelling and more. Underpinning it is the idea of explanation by metaphor and analogy but making them physical and interactive. Semantic Waves are part of a separate general education theory (part of legitimation code theory by Karl Maton) that gives ways to think about the effectiveness of learning activities. It fits well with unplugged teaching and helps to give insight over how to make activities effective. We will explore some of the unplugged teaching approaches we use, and see how semantic wave profiling gives a quick and easy way of improving lessons whether unplugged or not.

About the speaker :

Paul Curzon, is a Professor of Computer Science at Queen Mary University of London. He co-founded the Teaching London Computing and cs4fn projects promoting the fun side of computing to schools. He writes much of the cs4fn magazine and creates activities for teaching computing through stories, role-play, games, puzzles and magic. He has won a series of teaching excellence awards including the IEEE Taylor L Booth award for Education “for outstanding contributions to the rebirth of computer science as a school subject”. His research includes Computer Science Education and Healthcare Interaction Design. He also teaches hundreds of undergraduates to program each year as well as postgraduate Interaction Design. He also gives regular talks and workshops to inspire school students and teachers on computer science and computational thinking topics. He wrote the book “The Power of Computational Thinking” with Peter McOwan, with a new book on "Conjuring with Computation" out this year.