UAB Computer Programming Workshop Targets State’s K-12 Technology Teachers

Dozens of K-12 teachers from throughout Alabama are headed to UAB for a workshop with Wanda Dann, Ph.D., a computer programming pioneer.

May 11, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala - The UAB Department of Computer and Information Sciences will welcome dozens of K-12 teachers from throughout Alabama for a workshop with Wanda Dann, Ph.D., a computer programming pioneer from Carnegie Mellon University. The event is set for 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, in Campbell Hall Room 405, 1300 University Blvd. The workshop is open the public.

Dann, director of Carnegie Mellon's Alice Project, will discuss Alice 3D software, which is used widely at UAB and other universities nationwide to teach students introductory computer programming skills. She also will assist educators in identifying teaching and learning strategies that are most effective in engaging younger students who are growing up with unprecedented access to technology. While at UAB, Dann will give a keynote address to K-12 students participating in two statewide computer programming contests scheduled Saturday, May 16, in Campbell Hall.

Dann is widely known for her collaboration with the late Randy Pausch, Ph.D., who is well known for his best-selling book The Last Lecture. Pausch, whose book chronicled his battle with terminal cancer, had been the director of the Alice Project at Carnegie Mellon. Dann was named Pausch's successor after his passing in July 2008.

More on Alice 3D software

Alice is an innovative 3D programming environment that makes it easy to create animation for telling a story, playing an interactive game or creating a video to share on the Web. A teaching tool for introductory computing, Alice uses 3D graphics and a drag-and-drop interface to facilitate engaging, less frustrating first-time programming.

About UAB

The Department of Computer and Information Sciences is located within the UAB College of Arts and Sciences. Its undergraduate program provides a bachelor of science degree with the opportunity to minor in another discipline as well as co-op programs with local industry. CIS also offers programs of study leading to master's and doctoral degrees, as well as an interdisciplinary bioinformatics program. Find more at www.cis.uab.edu.