JCSE Online
November 2003
Editor’s Remarks
J. Philip East
University of Northern Iowa
Good day to you. Here we are with another issue of JCSE Online.
We are a bit later than usual for this first issue.
We have something new that is actually something old this time — remarks from the Chair. When I was serving as both Chair and Editor I seldom took or made time to provide comments from the Chair. But now, we have a new Chair of SIGCS. He is Joe Kmoch (ke-mock). Joe works in the Milwaukee school district (an inner city school, I think). For most of his career he has been a teacher and a computer guru for his school and district. He has been very active in the AP-CS program. Joe is still teaching, but he is also serving his district in other capacities and has a boatload of volunteer tasks. I asked Joe to provide his thoughts about goals or direction for SIGCS (or whatever he wanted to say). So, here are some comments from the Chair, Joe Kmoch. Note that Joe suggests we talk about this via the discussion list. I encourage you to do so. If you want a more formal response to Joe's ideas, please submit a letter to the editor.
Joe Kmoch: SIGCS Chair Ramblings
As usual we are presenting the minutes of our previous annual meeting in this first issue. Those attending the meeting should communicate to Richard any discrepancies they note. Those who were not at the meeting can get some idea of what was discussed and the decisions made at the meeting.
Richard Lamb: SIGCS Annual Meeting Minutes (draft)
SIGCS members have now been leading the effort to provide the CS & IT Symposium (Computer Science and Information Technology Symposium) for four years (the fifth Symposium is being planned). Previously, the first issue of JCSE Online each fall has provided our membership with information about the Symposium. (Actually, the presentations are available already and permanently via the ISTE Professional Development Web site.) This time, the information we are providing is in the form of the session descriptions provided by the presenters and some additional comments provided by an attendee of each session. Betsy Frederick tackled the task of getting the comments gathered together.
Betsy Frederick: CS & IT Symposium Notes
One of the presenters at the CS & IT Symposium wrote an article related to what he talked about. It actually is published as his presentation. However, I thought it worth distributing as part of JCSE Online. The presentation and article are about the need for and utility of interdisciplinary courses that include computing. Don suggests they are a very good vehicle for attracting young women to computing. I encourage you to consider his words and reflect on what kind of interdisciplinary course you might be able to offer. If you want to talk about such a course consider sending a message to the SIGCS discussion list (sigcs@discussion.iste.org) or perhaps to Don (kirkwood@teleport.com).
Don Kirkwood: Interdisciplinary Classes: Good and Good for Gender Equity
As you probably know, we (SIGCS & ISTE) prepared a questionnaire to survey members about the quality and improvement of JCSE Online. Unfortunately, very few people decided to contribute their opinions (at least one person said the server was busy whenever they tried to respond). Regardless, I have prepared a report that summarizes what we asked and what the respondents replied. I am also making this an opportunity to provide my vision for JCSE Online. As you read it, please let me know where you disagree. Also, consider volunteering to help out.
Philip East: JCSE Online Survey Results
Philip East: The Future JCSE
I hope you enjoy this issue of JCSE Online. As always let us know what you think. Also, consider submitting something -- peer-reviewed article; favorite lesson or Web site; book, software, or workshop review; editorial; letter to the editor; etc. — anything helpful to teachers of computing.
Have a good day. Have a good year.
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