Home MembershipSpecial Interest GroupsSIGCT (Computing Teachers)JCSE Online - Journal of Computer Science EducationPast Issues2001-2002 October 2001

From the Chair/J. Philip East

Only You Can Make SIGCS Strong

I want to direct your attention to the minutes of our 2000 business meeting published in this issue of the journal. I think you will be able to tell that we had some nice plans. Unfortunately, almost none of those plans have resulted in the desired action or results. I assume that you, like me, would prefer that SIGCS do a little bit more for high school computer science.

SIGCS is run wholly through the work of volunteers. None of us gets paid, and none of us (to my knowledge) has their workload reduced so they can perform this service. We do get to add a line to our resume. This is not a complaint! I and others do what we do for SIGCS (and high school computing more generally) because we think it is important. I am convinced, however, that more can be done. Certainly a number of good things are occurring—the Computer Science and Information Technology Symposium, the computer science strand at NECC, this online publication. But each of those could be strengthened, and additional activities could be carried out.

Unfortunately, our experience demonstrates that only very exceptional people are able to do their everyday work and accomplish a great deal beyond that. Most of us are able to do our everyday work and accomplish a little, say for SIGCS. Thus, it seems to me that in order to accomplish more, we must expand the number of people who do a little rather than search for someone to accomplish a lot.

So, we are seeking your help. You are probably wondering, "What can I do to help?" Well, what would you like to see done? Having and sharing ideas for activities that would help computer science teachers is important. Also, as you encounter good information, you can share it. Additionally, you can volunteer for some small (or less small) activity in the already identified activities of SIGCS. Many of the activities in the list below were identified previously. I thought of another one or two, and I am sure you could think of still others. Please consider whether you might be interested in helping with any of these activities (or suggesting and volunteering for others).

• participate in the discussion list
• ask a question on the discussion list
• respond to a question on the discussion list
• serve as one of several moderators
• work on the SIGCS Web site—ISTE hosts the site, and we determine and develop the material to be included. (Originally, it was suggested that there be an e-coordinator to supervise both the listserv and Web site. Those tasks could be joint or separate.)
• suggest ideas for form, content, or function of the Web site
• serve on a Web site committee
• chair the committee
• assist in producing JCSE Online
• serve as a referee/reviewer—This requires reading an occasional article and indicating if it is or can be made appropriate for JCSE Online. Suggesting improvements in the articles is also a big help.
• serve as referee editor—manage and coordinate the review process
• serve as reviews editor—seek and supply reviews of software, books, and so on
• serve as AP editor—seek and/or supply articles or information pertinent to advanced placement activities
• serve as programming contest editor—seek and/or supply articles or information pertinent to programming contests
• serve as marketing editor—help determine marketing policy and then seek and coordinate the inclusion of press releases in JCSE Online
• submit material for/to JCSE Online
• information about articles to reprint
• a review of software, books, Web sites, and so on
• one of your favorite lessons
• an editorial about an idea near and dear to you
• an article about teaching or learning computer science
• a letter to the editor
• assist in developing the computer science strand at NECC
• urge colleagues to present their good work
• suggest topics for panels or other cooperative sessions
• submit a session of your own
• work on SIGCS letterhead, banner, brochure, and so on—This may require the re-working of the SIGCS logo and brochure that were designed several years ago. The idea would be to produce design suggestions applicable to letterhead, Web site, banner, and so on. Actual design might be completed. Alternatively, some sort of design contest or some other appropriate activity might be developed and supervised.
• volunteer for elective office in SIGCS (the Vice-Chair and Recorder are elected one year and the Chair is elected the next. The Past Chair also remains an officer.). All serve a two-year term and may serve only two consecutive terms.
• work on suggestions for revising the SIGCS bylaws

Some of these tasks are relatively minor by themselves, but when added to the efforts of others, their effect could be significant.

For some of the larger tasks, the executive committee of SIGCS or the editorial board of the journal will need to discuss the task with the volunteer(s) to ensure that we have a common goal and understanding of expectations. Keep in mind that the list of tasks above is not a comprehensive list, merely what I could think of. If you have additional ideas, please feel free to suggest them.

Some of you have volunteered in the past but received no tasks or direction. The fault is mostly mine. Please volunteer again by sending me an e-mail message. This includes those of you who have already been serving as referees. (Thus, I can make sure no one is overlooked.) It might be advisable to CC one or more of the other active members of the executive committee. That way at least two people will have to drop the ball instead of just one. The folks you might CC are:

And, of course, I am Philip East (Chair): east@cs.uni.edu. Thank you for thinking about helping out. Your name could appear in this group, too. All committee chairs get added to the Executive Committee. Cool, huh?

Have a good fall!

J. Philip East
Computer Science Department
University of Northern Iowa
Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0507
319.273.2939
east@cs.uni.edu

Copyright © 2001, ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education). All rights reserved.