Announcing the 2010 BC Innovation Award in Educational Technology

The BC Educational Technology Users Group (ETUG) and BCcampus are pleased to announce the winner of this year’s BC Innovation Award in Educational Technology. Congratulations to SPARCS (Solving Problems with Algorithms Robots and Computers),an outreach program of the University of Victoria, Faculty of Computer Science, and to the program’s founder, Associate Professor Ulrike Stege.

In their words, SPARCS is a group of folks from the University of Victoria who love computer science and want to share that love with the world! SPARCS uses a huge range of languages and environments to stimulate students’ interests and show them the joys of programming, while also teaching students basic computer science concepts. In addition, SPARCS is outstanding in that it is:

• Based on robust program pedagogy informed by research;
• Demonstrates appropriate selection and use of existing tools and technology;
• Using existing technologies in innovative, pedagogically relevant ways;
• Using play and experiential learning to teach problem solving;
• Providing linkages k-12 with post-secondary through student mentors and teachers;
• Contributes original research to the computer science education community;
• Is active and open in sharing their work and research online with the world.

An award ceremony is planned for June 7th at the University of Victoria during the ETUG Spring Workshop. Join us in recognizing the work of SPARCS as our 2010 BC Innovation Award winner!