Dr Mark Zarb's Outputs (41)

Computing degree apprenticeships: an opportunity to address gender imbalance in the IT sector? (2020)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
SMITH, S., TAYLOR-SMITH, E., FABIAN, K., BARR, M., BERG, T., CUTTING, D., PATERSON, J., YOUNG, T. and ZARB, M. 2020. Computing degree apprenticeships: an opportunity to address gender imbalance in the IT sector? In Proceedings of 2020 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Frontiers in education conference (FIE 2020), 21-24 October 2020, [virtual event]. Piscataway: IEEE [online], article ID 9274144. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE44824.2020.9274144

This paper explores the potential for new work-based apprenticeship degrees to encourage more women into computing degrees and the IT sector. In the UK, women are currently under-represented on computing courses. Meanwhile the IT industry requires mo... Read More about Computing degree apprenticeships: an opportunity to address gender imbalance in the IT sector?.

Professional communication tools in higher education: a case study in implementing slack in the curriculum. (2020)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
MENZIES, R. and ZARB, M. 2020. Professional communication tools in higher education: a case study in implementing slack in the curriculum. In Proceedings of 2020 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Frontiers in education conference (FIE 2020), 21-24 October 2020, [virtual event]. Piscataway: IEEE [online], article ID 9273906. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE44824.2020.9273906

This Innovative Practice Full Paper presents a study which considers the implications of embedding professional communication tools within the computing curriculum. Computing students are comfortable using various communication tools such as social m... Read More about Professional communication tools in higher education: a case study in implementing slack in the curriculum..

Analysing the learning by developing action model in HE computing. (2020)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
LINTILÄ, T. and ZARB, M. 2020. Analysing the learning by developing action model in HE computing. In Proceedings of 2020 Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Frontiers in education conference (FIE 2020), 21-24 October 2020, [virtual event]. Piscataway: IEEE [online], article ID 9274282. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1109/FIE44824.2020.9274282

This Research to Practice Working Process presents the first phase of the study, in which background information was sought from the literature and by interviews pedagogical experts from Laurea University of Applied Sciences (Laurea). The background... Read More about Analysing the learning by developing action model in HE computing..

Computing students learning outcomes in learning by developing action model. (2020)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
LINTILÄ, T. and ZARB, M. 2020. Computing students learning outcomes in learning by developing action model. In Gómez Chova, L., López Martínez, A. and Candel Torres, I. (eds.) Proceedings of 13th International conference of education, research and innovation 2020 (ICERI2020), 9-10 November 2020, [virtual event]]. Valencia: IATED [online], pages 1936-1945. Available from: https://doi.org/10.21125/iceri.2020.0477

The purpose of this paper is to present the results of research aimed at finding out the learning outcomes of computing students with a study module implementation based on the Learning by Developing (LbD) Action Model used in Laurea University of Ap... Read More about Computing students learning outcomes in learning by developing action model..

Through the lens: enhancing assessment with video-based presentation. (2020)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
ZARB, M. and BIRTLESKELMAN, J. 2020. Through the lens: enhancing assessment with video-based presentations. In Proceedings of the 25th Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Innovation and technology in computer science education conference 2020 (ITiCSE '20), 15-19 June 2020, Trondheim, Norway. New York: ACM [online], pages 187-192. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/3341525.3387376

This paper discusses a video-based approach trialled within Robert Gordon University. Students are typically asked to formally deliver presentations (either individually, or in groups) for summative assessment. Timetabling issues, large student numbe... Read More about Through the lens: enhancing assessment with video-based presentation..

Perspectives on the student transition into CS1. (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
SIEGEL, A.A., ZARB, M., GLASSEY, R. and HUGHES, J. 2019. Perspectives on the student transition into CS1. In Proceedings of the 24th Innovation and technology in computer science education annual conference 2019 (ITiCSE 2019), 15-17 July 2019, Aberdeen, UK. New York: ACM Press [online], pages 168-169. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/3304221.3325540

As students transition into higher education, their experience can be quite new and foreign to them. This experience, while an individual one, consists of many concerns that are shared amongst these transitioning students. Partly as a result of these... Read More about Perspectives on the student transition into CS1..

Laughter over dread: early collaborative problem solving through an extended induction using robots. (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
ZARB, M. and SCOTT, M. 2019. Laughter over dread: early collaborative problem solving through an extended induction using robots. In Proceedings of the 24th Innovation and technology in computer science education annual conference 2019 (ITiCSE 2019), 15-17 July 2019, Aberdeen, UK. New York: ACM Press [online], pages 249-250. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/3304221.3325548

Software development companies want new hires with strong interpersonal and problem solving skills. To ensure the development of such skills, they must be embedded throughout the curriculum. However, many students struggle to collaborate with peers a... Read More about Laughter over dread: early collaborative problem solving through an extended induction using robots..

Integrating real-world clients in a project management module. (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
ZARB, M., YOUNG, T. and BALLEW, W. 2019. Integrating real-world clients in a project management module. In Proceedings of the 24th Innovation and technology in computer science education annual conference 2019 (ITiCSE 2019), 15-17 July 2019, Aberdeen, UK. New York: ACM Press [online], pages 329. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/3304221.3325559

Graduates in CS are required to have a background in project management, but often this is taught as a theoretical module, with little "real-world" relevance. In this poster abstract, a Project Management module has been redeveloped around the idea o... Read More about Integrating real-world clients in a project management module..

Incorporating on-campus days in a graduate apprenticeship. (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
YOUNG, T. and ZARB, M. 2019. Incorporating on-campus days in a graduate apprenticeship. In Proceedings of the 24th Innovation and technology in computer science education annual conference (ITiCSE 2019), 15-17 July 2019, Aberdeen, UK. New York: ACM Press [online], page 328. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/3304221.3325567

Graduate Apprenticeships look to overcome the segregation of learning and working by integrating traditional education into the context of the work environment. This poster abstract looks to highlight the importance of peer interactions, specifically... Read More about Incorporating on-campus days in a graduate apprenticeship..

Challenges of delivering a graduate apprenticeship. (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
YOUNG, T. and ZARB, M. 2019. Challenges of delivering a graduate apprenticeship. In Proceedings of the 24th Innovation and technology in computer science education annual conference (ITiCSE 2019), 15-17 July 2019, Aberdeen, UK. New York: ACM Press [online], page 327. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/3304221.3325566

Graduate Apprenticeship degree programmes look to overcome the segregation of learning and working, by integrating traditional education into the context of the work environment. This poster abstract showcases a number of actions that were put into p... Read More about Challenges of delivering a graduate apprenticeship..

Phronesis, authentic learning and the solution of open-ended problems in computer science. (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
MCDERMOTT, R., ZARB, M., BALLEW, W., DANIELS, M. and ISOMÖTTÖNEN, V. 2018. Phronesis, authentic learning and the solution of open-ended problems in computer science. In Proceedings of the 48th Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Frontiers in education conference (FIE 2018): fostering innovation through diversity, 3-6 October 2018, San Jose, USA. Piscataway: IEEE [online], article ID 8658512. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1109/fie.2018.8658512

One of the most significant changes in Higher Education pedagogy that has occurred over the past fifty years is the idea that university students should not just be taught theoretical subject knowledge but should engage with practical aspects of thei... Read More about Phronesis, authentic learning and the solution of open-ended problems in computer science..

Investigation into the use of learning agreements to enhance stakeholder engagement and promote self-efficacy in computing education. (2019)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
BALLEW, W., MCDERMOTT, R., ZARB, M., DANIELS, M. and CLEAR, T. 2018. Investigation into the use of learning agreements to enhance stakeholder engagement and promote self-efficacy in computing education. In Proceedings of the 48th Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Frontiers in education 2018 (FIE 2018): fostering innovation through diversity, 3-6 October 2018, San Jose, USA. Piscataway: IEEE [online], article ID 865138. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1109/fie.2018.8659138

We examine controversial issues surrounding the locus of control in the implementation of learning agreements, plans or contracts, in the context of the U.K. university-level Graduate Apprenticeship scheme. We begin by giving an account of the stakeh... Read More about Investigation into the use of learning agreements to enhance stakeholder engagement and promote self-efficacy in computing education..

An analysis of pupil concerns regarding transition into higher education. (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
ZARB, M. and SIEGEL, A.A. 2018. An analysis of pupil concerns regarding transition into higher education. In Cristea, A.I., Bittencourt, I.I. and Lima, F. (eds.) Revised selected papers from the proceedings of the 1st Higher education for all international workshop on social, semantic, adaptive and gamification techniques and technologies for distance learning (HEFA 2017): from challenges to novel technology-enhanced solutions, 20-24 March 2017, Maceió, Brazil. Communications in computer and information science, 832. Cham: Springer [online], pages 3-16. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97934-2_1

Transitioning to higher education is often a stressful experience, with incoming students facing similar issues year after year. This chapter presents two years of data collection regarding the concerns of Computing secondary school pupils when consi... Read More about An analysis of pupil concerns regarding transition into higher education..

An international investigation into student concerns regarding transition into higher education computing. (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
ZARB, M., ALSHAIGY, B., BOUVIER, D., GLASSEY, R., HUGHES, J. and RIEDESEL, C. 2018. An international investigation into student concerns regarding transition into higher education computing. In Proceedings companion of the 23rd Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Innovation and technology in computer science education conference 2018 (ITiCSE 2018), 02-04 July 2018, Larnaca, Cyprus. New York: ACM [online], pages 107-129. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/3293881.3295780

The experience of transitioning into and starting higher education is very much an individual one, with some applicants viewing the prospect of higher education as an unknown entity. For those who are first in their family or community to consider hi... Read More about An international investigation into student concerns regarding transition into higher education computing..

An international investigation into student concerns regarding transition into higher education. (2018)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
ZARB, M., ABANDOH-SAM, J.A., ALSHAIGY, B., BOUVIER, D., GLASSEY, R., HUGHES, J. and RIEDESEL, C. 2018. An international investigation into student concerns regarding transition into higher education. In Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) conference on innovation and technology in computer science education (ITiCSE 2018), 2-4 July 2018, Larnaca, Cyprus. New York: ACM [online], pages 344-345. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/3197091.3205842

The experience of transitioning into and starting higher education is a very individual one, with some applicants viewing the prospect of higher education as an unknown entity; for those who are first in their family or community to consider higher e... Read More about An international investigation into student concerns regarding transition into higher education..

Student concerns regarding transition into higher education CS. (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
SIEGEL, A.A. and ZARB, M. 2016. Student concerns regarding transition into higher education CS. In Proceedings of the 21st Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Innovation and technology in computer science education 2016 conference (ITiCSE 2016), 11-13 July 2016, Arequipa, Peru. New York: ACM [online], pages 23-28. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/2899415.2909581

This paper discusses a study where 249 students from 18 secondary schools around Scotland who were on the verge of applying to study Computing Science at a higher education institution were surveyed on their concerns about the upcoming transition. Pr... Read More about Student concerns regarding transition into higher education CS..

Motivation, optimal experience and flow in first year computing science. (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
MCDERMOTT, R., ZARB, M., DANIELS, M., CAJANDER, Å. and CLEAR, T. 2016. Motivation, optimal experience and flow in first year computing science. In Proceedings of the 2016 Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) conference on innovation and technology in computer science education (ITiCSE '16), 9-13 July 2016, Arequipa, Peru. New York: ACM [online], pages 206-211. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/2899415.2899474

We examine the concept of motivation from the perspective of Self Determination Theory and give a brief overview of relevant results. We also consider the optimal state known as Flow and give an account of its conceptualisation in the theory due to C... Read More about Motivation, optimal experience and flow in first year computing science..

Novice programmers and the problem description effect. (2016)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
BOUVIER, D., LOVELLETTE, E., MATTA, J., ALSHAIGY, B., BECKER, B.A., CRAIG, M., JACKOVA, J., MCCARTNEY, R., SANDERS, K. and ZARB, M. 2016. Novice programmers and the problem description effect. In Proceedings of the Innovation and technology in computer science education on working group reports 2016 (ITiCSE-WGR '16), 9-13 July 2016, Arequipa, Peru. New York: ACM [online], pages 103-118. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/3024906.3024912

It is often debated whether a problem presented in a straightforward minimalist fashion is better, or worse, for learning than the same problem presented with a real-life or concrete context. The presentation, contextualization, or problem descriptio... Read More about Novice programmers and the problem description effect..

An analysis of user engagement in relation to computing workshop activities. (2015)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
MENZIES, R., CRABB, M., HERRON, D., PETRIE, K., STEWART, C. and ZARB, M. 2015. An analysis of user engagement in relation to computing workshop activities. In Proceedings of the 46th Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Technical symposium on computer science education (SIGCSE'15), 4-7 March 2015, Kansas City, USA. New York: ACM [online], pages 469-474. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/2676723.2677272

Computing is now one of the fastest growing fields of employment, with a large bias placed on developing Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in schools. However, due to the fast pace of technology development, it is inc... Read More about An analysis of user engagement in relation to computing workshop activities..

Further evaluations of industry-inspired pair programming communication guidelines with undergraduate students. (2015)
Presentation / Conference Contribution
ZARB, M., HUGHES, J. and RICHARDS, J. 2015. Further evaluations of industry-inspired pair programming communication guidelines with undergraduate students. In Proceedings of the 46th Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) technical symposium on computer science education (SIGCSE 2015): keep connected, keep committed, keep computing, 4-7 March 2015, Kansas City, USA. New York: ACM [online], pages 314-319. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1145/2676723.2677241

Pair programming has several benefits when it is successfully used by students and experts alike. However, research shows that novice pairs find the necessary pair communication to be one of the main challenges in adopting this process. A set of indu... Read More about Further evaluations of industry-inspired pair programming communication guidelines with undergraduate students..