ITiCSE 2009
14th ACM–SIGCSE Annual Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education
Paris, July 3–8, 2009
 

Working Group 3: Computing and Sustainability: Resources for Educators - Proposal PDF

The purpose of this working group is to begin the process of addressing the major barriers perceived by computing educators and practitioners around actioning "Computing and Sustainability" which is: "Where do we get resources?"

Beginning in 2006, the ACM associated computing education conference NACCQ in NZ adopted the policy that incorporated sustainability as a core principle of its purpose. Further interest followed the ITiCSE 2006 conference keynote address in Bologna. The 2007 keynote address by Ed Lazowska at SIGCSE emphasised the need for focus in this area and last year the working group on Sustainability at ITiCSE 2008 in Madrid identified and quantified interest and issues.

The aims of the working group are two-fold:

  • To develop sustainability resources that are ready for use in the classroom in a broad range of existing computing topics.
  • To create a move in the way we teach sustainability in computing by empowering those educators who want to contribute by providing some resources and a locatable critical mass of like-minded thinkers, i.e. create a consciousness of "yes we can and so I will".

The working group will act as a catalyst to generate some resources and also to organise them into a structure that caters for the needs of the ITiCSE community. We envision that the resources be prepared and reviewed prior to the conference and the time in Paris be utilised discussing a structure and platform by which to make the resources available, manageable and renewable to the ITiCSE and broader communities.

Expected prior experience of members

The Working Group looks for members who see a link between their computing expertise and its connection to sustainability - and who can document a resource that other educators or practitioners can use that demonstrates that connection.

Each resource or scenario would come with some background reading and thought-provoking questions whereby the student would justify or reflect on the computing solution in a real context.

Please also see the information about Applying to be a Working Group Member on the Working Group page.

Working Group 3 leaders