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CSUnplugged Workshop

17 and 18 April 2008

What is CSUnplugged?

CSUnplugged is a series of teaching activities designed to teach younger students computer science concepts in a fun and engaging way. The key concept of “Unplugged” is that it teaches these concepts without the use of a computer, which makes it easier to focus on the topic instead of the machine. It can also be more engaging, because students are actively participating in games, puzzles, and tricks rather that watching a Powerpoint presentation.

Here are a few video examples:

Associate Professor Tim Bell talked with the NZCSRSC about CSUnplugged, from the conception of the idea through to the project today including future plans. Read more on the NZCSRSC Unplugged blog post.

 

Unplugged Workshop

Tim BellTim Bell Ian WittenIan Witten

The Unplugged Workshop will run from the afternoon of Thursday 17 April to noon on Friday 18 April. It will be run by Dr. Tim Bell (University of Canterbury) and Dr. Ian Witten (Waikato University). The Workshop will include a demonstration with a real school class and a fun outing on Thursday evening as well. We encourage both postgraduate students and academic staff to attend this fun, interesting, and educational workshop.

 

 

Programme

(Tentative)

Thursday

  • 2pm Unplugged show with children from Chisnallwood Intermediate school
  • 3pm Introduction to Unplugged (Tim Bell and Ian Witten)
  • 5:30pm Bus into town
  • 6pm Dinner at Indian Restaurant at Science Alive!
  • 7:15 to 8:45pm Free use of Science Alive! including Black Hole mini-golf

Friday

  • 9am to 12pm Workshop continues
  • 12pm Lunch
  • 1pm Workshop finishes

The full programme is available from the NZCSRSC'08 Programme page.

Sessions to the workshop will be held in lecture room 031 on Thursday, and room 111 on Friday in the Erskine Building of the Computer Science & Software Engineering Department at the University of Canterbury.

How much does it cost?

The registration costs have been heavily discounted for this Workshop:

  • For postgraduate ICT students nominated by their HOD: FREE (limit 2 per university)
  • Other postgraduate ICT students: NZ$50
  • Academic staff / Faculty staff: NZ$50

Registration includes entry to the workshop, materials for the workshop, accommodation, and meals for the duration of the Workshop.

 

How do I register?

Registration to the Workshop is separate to registering for the conference.

  1. To receive free registration, ask your HOD to nominate you. This process is very simple. Ask your HOD if they will nominate you to attend the CSUnplugged Workshop from your University. At this stage, neither you nor your HOD need to do anything. We will verify nominations with your HOD later. Nominations are only required for free registration. There is a limit of two free registrations per University, so be in quick.
  2. Fill in the Workshop registration form [[Registration Closed]]. Note this is different to the NZCSRSC registration. On it, you will be asked if you are nominated by your HOD.
  3. If you answered “yes” to question 2) above, we will verify that with your HOD. Your registration including materials, accommodation, and meals for the duration of the Workshop is FREE.
  4. If you answered “no” to question 2) above, you'll be asked to fill in your credit card details. The registration is heavily subsidised to NZ$50 for NZ postgraduate students. This includes entry to the Workshop, materials for the workshop, accommodation, and meals for the duration of the Workshop. If your University is paying for a number of you together, please contact us and we can arrange that for you.
  5. You will then receive email confirmation from us.

 

For enquiries, contact Tim Bell or nzcsrsc08@canterbury.ac.nz.