Teaching Fundamentals of Computing Theory: AConstructivist Approach

CARLOS IVÁN CHESÑEVAR; ANA MAGUITMAN; MARÍA PAULA GONZÁLEZ; LAURA COBO

Journal Of Computer Science And Technology

Lugar: Argentina; Año: 2004 vol. 4 p. 91 - 97

1666-6038

A Fundamentals of Computing Theory course involves different topics that are core to the Computer Science curricula and whose level of abstraction makes them difficult both to teach and to learn. Such difficulty stems from the complexity of the abstract notions involved and the required mathematical background. Surveys conducted among our students showed that many of them were applying some theoretical concepts mechanically rather than developing significant learning. This paper shows a number of didactic strategies that we introduced in the Fundamentals of Computing Theory curricula to cope with the above problem. The proposed strategies were based on a stronger use of technology and a constructivist approach. The final goal was to promote more significant learning of the course topics. Keywords: Computer Science Education, Fundamentals of Computing Theory, Informatics Technology, Constructivism.