Paul Gibson's - Computing For Schools<

	Computing For Schools - J. Paul Gibson (B.Sc, Ph.D, HDR)	French (français).
Départment - INFormatic	Location: Bureau D311, Le département INFormatic , Telecom SudParis (TSP), 9 rue Charles Fourier, 91011 Évry cedex, FRANCE
	jpaulgibson, @JPaulGibson email: paul.gibson@telecom-sudparis.eu, Phone/Fax: +33(0)1-6076 (4477/4711)

History and Overview

Schools programming contest (1999-2002)

I believe that all children should be given the opportunity to learn to program as early as possible in their lives. In 1999, while working as a computer science lecturer in Ireland, I organised a schools programming contest in which children (aged between 6 and 18) worked in teams in order to program AI players for 3 simple games - noughts and crosses, connect-4 and battleships. At this time, I taught them using Java using a simple text editor and command line development. During the next 4 years I visited 20+ schools in the local area, and as well as introducing them to Java programming I also gave talks on general computer science topics.

NUIM Summer Science Camp (2002-2004)

As a means of promoting science careers, including computer science, I organised and directed a summer science camp which ran for a whole week during 3 years. The camp had 200+ participants, aged 13-17, and involved 40+ different practical sessions in 5 different scientific disciplines. During the camp, I also taught programming of simple sprite-based games and animations (using Java)

Schools in France (2006 - present day)

Since moving to France, in 2006, I have visited many schools in order to teach children about algorithmic understanding and computational thinking. As well as programming sessions (which required computers), I started to run sessions that did not require any computers. This led me to be involved in the CS Unplugged program, where I tried out their sessions in French schools and helped with the French translation.

Scratching and Fooing

Although I continue to teach in Java, I now believe that Scratch is the best programming language/tool for teaching beginners how to program, including very young children. My experience, which is consistent with many other educators who use Scratch, shows that children as young as 6 can develop quite complex games and animations. I am also a fan of the Foos game, which prepares even younger children for programming using a Scratch-like method.

Research

Although teaching programming to children is not my main research area, I sometimes publish research concerned with my observations and experimentation. In such a case, the research results are anonymized, and I will always ask permission from the schools, teachers and children (their parents).

Would you like me to visit your school/class?

I always enjoy meeting new teachers and new students. If you would like me to visit your school/class and talk about computing, or teach programming sessions (with or without a computer) then please feel free to contact me. I am currently living in Nancy and working in Paris, France; so I am happy to consider visiting schools in either of these areas. I do not charge for my visits, but if travel becomes a significant expense then I will ask the schools to pay for this. Also, if the schools wish/are required to make a payment of some sort then I ask them to donate to a local charity, chosen by the children in the class.

I can work with children of any age, provided I have time to prepare for my classes with their teacher. I can teach in English or in French.

If you would like further information then please email me at: paul.gibson@telecom-sudparis.eu