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This study presents an experiment aimed at the design of short learning courses in the context of LAMS, using a number of specific context-free collaboration design patterns implemented within LAMS. In fact, 25 Prospective Computer Engineers (PCEs) participated in this experiment. The analysis of the data shows that PCEs fully used these context free collaboration patterns--mostly realized in combination--and designed interesting sequences of learning activities. PCEs also used most of the tools provided within LAMS. However, PCEs were presented with difficulties in integrating collaboration strategies with thinking dimensions in terms of communication, decision making, concept formation, problem solving and inquiry based learning.

This study focuses on how Computer Science and Engineering Students (CSESs) of both genders address certain critical issues for gender differences in the field of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE). This case study is based on research conducted on a sample of 99 Greek CSESs, 43 of which were women. More specifically, these students were asked to respond to a specially designed questionnaire addressing the following issues: a) essential motives in selecting CSE as a subject of study, their primary experience with computers and their family's views regarding CSE as a career prospect, b) the relationship between gender, strengths and weaknesses in CSE and cooperation with fellow students of the opposite gender, c) the desirability of having both male and female University Professors in CSE, d) CSE courses and CSESs choice, and e) career issues. The analysis of the data shows that: a) gender inequality in CSE still exists at tertiary level, b) there is a number of students of both genders who feel interest and self confident in CSE, they believe in equality in competence of both genders in CSE and have dreams of a job with prospects as computer professionals, c) interest, self confidence in CSE are closely related to previous experience with computers and to the encouragement by family and school to learn about computers, and d) the general atmosphere and policy in CSE Departments play an essential role for women-students to feel as equals to their male counterparts.

This study focuses on the investigation of gender representation of faculty members of all ranks (professors, associate professors, assistant professors and lecturers) of Computing and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) in Greek tertiary education during the decade 2003-2013. To this end, a quantitative study was conducted, taking into account appropriate data derived from the Hellenic Statistical Authority. The data analysis shows that during the said decade, (a) faculty members in Computing and in each discipline of STEM constituted a small part of the total number of Greek faculty members; (b) for every single year of the decade, females were less prevalent than males in all ranks of faculty members in Computing and Engineering; (c) the situation for females in the Computing faculty appears to have been even worse, as the percentage of them in every rank was the lowest among the STEM disciplines studied for all or most of the years of the decade under study; and (d) although females were better represented in the position of lecturer, which constituted the fewest faculty members in the aforementioned disciplines, highly populated ranks of faculty members were dominated by males.

Female student representation in Computing and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Tertiary education is under-researched in a number of countries including Greece, while studies on female secondary level education teacher representation in Computing and STEM have not yet been reported. This study focuses on the investigation of gender representation of tertiary-level education students (freshmen, graduates, master's degree graduates and PhD's) and of secondary-level education teachers in Computing and STEM education during the decade 2002-2012 in Greece. A quantitative study was conducted taking into account appropriate data that emerged from the Hellenic Statistical Authority which is the national statistical service of Greece. During the studied decade:(a) Females were less prevalent than males at all levels of study in Computing and Engineering, (b) the number of males did not exceed that of females in Physics (freshmen, graduates and master's degree holders) or in Mathematics (graduates), (c) Female teachers were less prevalent than males in Computing and STEM, (d) Computing female schoolteachers are better represented at all levels of secondary education compared to the representation of their female counterparts in the rest of the disciplines of STEM education, (e) There is no pipeline shrinkage between female freshmen and graduates of undergraduate studies in Computing and STEM and there was also no female dropout from level (undergraduate studies) to level (master's degree studies) in Greek Computing, Physics and Engineering departments. It seems that the main problem is recruitment and not retention in Computing and STEM, despite female under-representation in most of these disciplines.

The aim of this work was twofold. First, an empirical study was designed aimed at investigating the perceptions that entry-level non-computing majors--namely Physical Education and Sport Science (PESS) undergraduate students--hold about basic Computer Literacy (CL) issues. The participants were 90 first-year PESS students, and their perceptions were elicited through a written questionnaire. The data analysis revealed scientifically acceptable perceptions as well as various empirical, vague, incomplete and erroneous perceptions. Second, those students' prior knowledge was utilized to design and implement an Educational Computer Card Game (ECCG) aimed at helping PESS students overcome their conceptual difficulties and approach the aforementioned CL issues in a scientifically consistent manner. The ECCG was designed taking into account basic digital game-based learning principles in combination with basic aspects of social and constructivist perspectives to learning. The ECCG was also pilot-tested in the field with real students, and the results were encouraging.

This paper presents a 10-year review study that focuses on the investigation of the use of computer card games (CCGs) as learning tools in Computer Science (CS) Education. Specific search terms keyed into 10 large scientific electronic databases identified 24 papers referring to the use of CCGs for the learning of CS matters during the last decade. The findings revealed that the CCGs reported by the reviewed papers were used for the learning of diverse CS issues. The motivation behind the use of the aforementioned CCGs was based on: (a) students' familiarity with the CGs at hand, so that they might focus on the construction of their simulation, (b) the fact that, the logic of CGs is suitable for the teaching of various CS concepts, and (c) CCG-play as a motivational activity to engage learners in their learning. CCGs were used in two ways: as CCG-construction context based on supportive data provided by educators, and as CCG-play educational tools. The constructivist learning approach was implied behind the design and use of most of the CCGs reported in the articles reviewed. Evaluation of some CCGs also provided positive results.

This study focuses on the role of multiple solution tasks (MST) incorporating multiple learning tools and representation systems (MTRS) in encouraging each student to develop multiple perspectives on the learning concepts under study and creativity of thought. Specifically, two types of MST were used, namely tasks that allowed and demanded multiple solutions and tasks that allowed but did not demand multiple solutions from each student. Each of these tasks was tested in the field using 14-year-old students, through a comparative experiment on the learning of the mathematical notion of area within the C.AR.ME computer microworld that provides MTRS for the learning of area. Data analysis reveals that all students who were asked to encounter tasks allowing and demanding multiple solutions within C.AR.ME were motivated to invent a plethora of solution strategies to these tasks, by integrating both their intuitive and school-based knowledge with the knowledge embodied within C.AR.ME, and to construct diverse perspectives on the concepts in question which are non-common to paper-and-pencil and school practices. On the other hand, students expressed limited views on these concepts when faced with tasks that allowed but did not demand multiple solutions.

This paper presents both the design and the pilot formative evaluation study of a computer-based problem-solving environment (named LECGO: Learning Environment for programming using C using Geometrical Objects) for the learning of computer programming using C by beginners. In its design, constructivist and social learning theories were taken into account. The general design has taken into consideration models of the learning process and subject matter as well as potential learner behaviour in dealing with fundamental tasks. The main emphasis has been placed on the role of: (a) multiple external representations in student learning, (b) motivation, through performing problem-solving activities taken from the familiar and meaningful context of drawing, using simple geometrical objects, (c) the active participation of students in their own learning by using hands-on experience, (d) appropriate feedback on the actions taken by students, to aid their self-correction, and (e) holistic, activity-based, multi-media, multi-representational and multi-layered content for the learning of basic concepts of programming using C. LECGO was pilot evaluated in the field through a qualitative and comparative study where nine 12th grade (18-year-old) students participated. In fact, students faced three similar yet not identical sets of four tasks across three learning environments, namely; paper and pencil (p-p), Turbo C and LECGO. The data emerging from this field evaluation study indicates that students gain better results within LECGO than in both the p-p environment and the typical programming environment of Turbo C, while performing similar activities. (Contains 4 tables and 4 figures.)

This study focuses on the constructions in terms of area and perimeter in equivalent triangles developed by students aged 12-15 years-old, using the tools provided by Cabri-Geometry II [Labore (1990). "Cabri-Geometry (software)," Universite de Grenoble]. Twenty-five students participated in a learning experiment where they were asked to construct: (a) pairs of equivalent triangles "in as many ways as possible" and to study their area and their perimeter using any of the tools provided and (b) "any possible sequence of modifications of an original triangle into other equivalent ones." As regards the concept of area and in contrast to a paper and pencil environment, Cabri provided students with different and potential opportunities in terms of: (a) means of construction, (b) control, (c) variety of representations and (d) linking representations, by exploiting its capability for continuous modifications. By exploiting these opportunities in the context of the given open tasks, students were helped by the tools provided to develop a broader view of the concept of area than the typical view they would construct in a typical paper and pencil environment.

Purpose: This study investigates: what kind of e-moderation is more effective in the formation of successful web-based courses, and the essential characteristics of synchronous communication (SC) that have a positive contribution in the formation of successful courses. Design/methodology/approach: The previously mentioned issues investigated a five-month learning experiment that took place in the context of an e-learning community consisting of 18 e-courses dedicated for primary and secondary school teachers. About 59 school teachers participated in this community as trainees, 23 professionals as trainers and two professionals as moderators. In terms of methodology this research can be characterized as a case study. Various data (quantitative and qualitative) were collected from both trainers and trainees regarding the teaching and learning which took place within the context of e-learning community. These data were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed. Findings: The analysis of the data shows that: the role of SC is crucial for the formation of successful e-courses. Four categories of language used that constitute effective SC via chat, applied by an e-moderator, were identified: social, encouragement, learning and negotiation. Originality/value: This study contributes in the understanding: that SC is crucial in the formation of successful e-learning courses, and which are the essential characteristics of SC in order to moderate effectively electronically supported courses. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)

This study investigates the role of basic elements of a learning context namely: the given tasks, the nature of the provided tools, and the pupils' gender in their choice of tools provided by an open problem-solving computer environment. Pupils' choice of tools is discussed through the description of an experiment involving the interaction of (30) 14-year-old pupils with a variety of tools provided by such a computer environment: the C.AR.ME microworld (Kordaki & Potari, 1998). These tools were designed to support pupils' learning of basic geometrical concepts namely: the concept of conservation of area and its measurement. The analysis of the data shows that the diversity of tasks allowed pupils to use different tools, and that the nature of tasks that asked pupils to solve them 'in any possible way' challenged pupils to use all the provided tools in alternative ways. Moreover, the nature of certain tools encouraged pupils to select those most appropriate for their cognitive development thereby expressing the different kinds of knowledge they possessed. Finally, all the pupils tried to use more than two of the provided tools to perform each task, while most of them faced difficulties in using these tools in combination. Boys performed better than girls in using a combination of tools. (Contains 5 tables and 4 figures.)

Focuses on the role of tools provided by a computer microworld (C.AR.ME) on the strategies developed by 14-year-old students for the area measurement of a non-convex polygon. Interprets and classifies student strategies on a transformation and comparison task into categories in terms of the tools used for their development. (Author/MM)

Describes a computer microworld for learning the concept of conservation of area and its measurement; analyzes its main features (drawing segments and polygons, manipulation of areas using simulations of children's sensory-motor actions, measuring areas, transforming areas into equivalent ones, and measuring lengths and angles); and presents the results of a pilot study evaluating the microworld. (Author/PEN)