PROF ELSA MENTZ Professor in Computer Science Education BA, HOD (UP), BSc-Hons, MSc, PhD (PU for CHE) Main Focus TEACHING AND LEARNING / RESEARCH Area of Specialisation Computer Science Education (Information Technology Education) Teaching and learning of programming skills Pair programming Cooperative and collaborative learning in IT Education Problem solving in IT Education CURRICULUM VITAE (2004-2009) Professional Association Membership: Member of the Computer Society of South Africa Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) Member of the American Education Research Association (AERA) ACADEMIC OUTPUT Academic Journals (*Accredited journals) *2009 In-service training for technology teachers: A needs assessment. African journal of research in Mathematics, Science and Technology education. 13(2):15-29. (coauthors GM Reitsma). 2009 Assessment strategies for pair programming. Journal of Information Technology education. (Accepted for publication, co-author JH Hahn & LW Meyer) *2008 Teacher training in South Africa: The integrated model as viable option. South African journal of higher education. 22(3):696-708. (co-author HJ Steyn). 2008 The effect of incorporating cooperative learning principles in pair programming for student teachers. Computer Science education. 18(4):247-260. (co-authors JL van der Walt & L Goosen). 1
*2008 Assessing learners reflective thinking in computer programming. African journal of research in Mathematics, Science and Technology education. 12(2):75 89 (coauthors EA Breed & JL Monteith). *2008 How to Do IT Together: Modeling Group Work for Information Technology. South African computer journal. 42:54-58.Dec. (co-author L Goosen). 2008 Knowledge, skills and strategies for successful object-oriented programming: a proposed learning repertoire. South African computer journal. 42:1-8. Dec. (co-author HM Havenga & MR de Villiers). *2007 Are groups working in the Information Technology class? South African journal of education. 27(2):329-343. (co-author L Goosen). *2006 The relationship between keyboarding skills and self-regulated learning. South African journal of education. 26(2):281-294. (co-authors EES Lubbe & JL Monteith,). *2004 Information systems curriculum. The moving target phenomenon of the information system curriculum. South African journal of higher education. 18(2). (co-author L du Plessis). Chapters in academic books: 2008 We can do IT together: The role of cooperative and collaborative learning in the Information Technology classroom in How to do IT. Teaching and learning Information Technology (Ed. Mentz, E). Orkney: EFJS printers. (co-author L Goosen). 2008 Learning and teaching support materials in How to do IT. Teaching and learning Information Technology. (Ed. Mentz, E). Orkney: EFJS printers. 2008 Teaching and learning theoretical content in How to do IT. Teaching and learning Information Technology. (Ed. Mentz, E).Orkney: EFJS printers. (co-authors L Goosen, EA Breed & HM Havenga). Published Conference Proceedings: International 2009 The school subject Information Technology: A South African perspective. (In ACM digital library. Presented at Southern African Computer Lecturers Association (SACLA), June 2009, Mpekweni Beach, South Africa. (co-author HM Havenga). 2008 Groups can do IT: A Model for Cooperative Work in Information Technology in Learning to Live in the Knowledge Society. (Eds. M Kendal & B Samways). (co-author L Goosen). 2
2008 Eeney, Meeney, Miney, Mo? Selecting a First Programming Language in Learning to Live in the Knowledge Society. (Eds. M Kendal & B Samways). (co-authors I Goosen & H Nieuwoudt). 2007 Training of technology educators in South Africa a model for short course in-service training in Teaching and learning technological literacy in the classroom. (Eds. JR Dakers, WJ Dow & MJ de Vries). (co-author GM Reitsma). Papers at conferences: International 2008 Mentz E. Groups can do IT: A model for cooperative work in Information Technology. 20 th IFIP World Computer Congress. Milano, Italy. (Sept 7-10). (co-author L Goosen). 2007 Mentz, E. United we stand, divided we fall : Learning from experiences of group work in Information Technology. Computer Science & Information Technology Education Conference (CSITEd 2007). Hôtel La Plantation, Mauritius. (Nov 16-18). (co-author L Goosen). 2007 Choose, choose, got nothing to lose?: Programming Language Selection Criteria. Southern African Computer Lecturers Association (SACLA 2007) Conference. Elephant Hills, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. (Jul 1-4). (co-authors L Goosen & HD Niewoudt) 2007 We're All in This Together : Focusing on group work experiences in Information Technology. Southern African Computer Lecturers Association (SACLA 2007) Conference. Elephant Hills, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. (Jul 1-4). (co-author L Goosen). 2007 Choosing the best programming language. International Computer Science & Information Technology Education Conference (CSITEd 2007). Mauritius. (Nov 16-18). (co-authors L Goosen & HD Niewoudt.). 2007 Training of Technology educators in South Africa a model for short course in-service training. International conference on design and technology educational research. Glasgow. (July). (co-author G Reitsma. 2007 We all stand together? Focusing on Group Work in Information Technology. SAARMSTE 2007. Maputo, Mozambique. (Jan 9-12). (co-author L Goosen). 2006 Group work in Computer Science Education. Onderwijs Research Dagen. Amsterdam, The Netherlands. (May 10-12). (co-author L Goosen). 2004 Critical thinking skills and academic achievement among student teachers in computer programming. International conference of the Australian Council for Computers in Education. Adelaide, Australia. (Jul 6 8). 3
National 2009 The school subject Information Technology : A South African perspective. Paper presented at the Southern African Computer Lecturers Association Conference (SACLA 2009), Mpekweni Beach, South Africa. 29 June 1July. (co-author HM Havenga). 2008 Knowledge, skills and strategies for successful object-oriented programming: a proposed learning repertoire. Southern African Computer Lecturing Association Conference (SACLA 2008). Berg-en-Dal, Kruger National Park. (Jul 14-16). (co-authors HM Havenga & De Villiers). 2008 How to Do IT Together: Modelling Group Work for Information Technology. Southern African Computer Lecturing Association Conference (SACLA 2008). Berg-en-Dal, Kruger National Park. (Jul 14-16). (co-author L Goosen). 2006 Teaching technology in South Africa realities and training suggestions. Technology Association Congress, Durban. (Sept 26 27). (co-author GM Reitsma). 2006 Implementing Information Technology in South African schools: Where are the teachers? The annual conference of the Education Association of South Africa, Bloemfontein. (Jan 18 20). (co-authors L Goosen & HD Nieuwoudt). 2006 A model for the in-service training of teachers for the Technology learning area. SAARMSTE, Pretoria. (Jan 9 12). (co-author GM Reitsma). 2005 Effective Learning in Computer Programming: The Role of Learners Reflective Thinking. World Conference on Computers in Education, Stellenbosch. (July 4 7). (co-authors B Breed & JL Monteith). Research projects and reports: Projects 2006-2009 NRF Thuthuka project leader on Group work in Computer Science. Postgraduate students completed: Masters degree students: 3 Doctoral students: 4 Postgraduate students in progress: Masters degree students: 5 Doctoral students: 2 OTHER: 2009: NRF-travel grant to San Diego, April. 4
2008 Rector s Award for Excellence Reviewing textbooks for UNISA Publishers External examiner for Stellenbosch University, Department of Curriculum Studies, Computers Science and Information Technology (2005- ) Reviewer for the following journals: SAJE, AJRMSTE, International journal of human computer studies, SA e-duc Member of the executive committee of the North-West Province Advisory Board on Education (2004-2006) External examiner of six masters and/or doctoral students from the University of South Africa and the University of Pretoria. 2004: NRF-grant to deliver paper at international conference. 1999-2001: National Research Foundation: Bursary awarded for Ph.D study. 5