Dr. Charles Severance from the University of Michigan discusses various courses related to social networks in education, programming, and informatics, emphasizing a balanced approach to teaching and accommodating different learning styles. The document highlights courses such as SI301, SI182, SI502, and SI539, which cover topics from social computing to networked computing, using Python as a primary programming language. It also addresses gender diversity in informatics and showcases positive student experiences with coding through these courses.

1. Social Nets in Education
@ U. Michigan
Dr. Charles Severance
University of Michigan School of Information
www.dr-chuck.com
Social Nets in Education Workshop - July 8, 2010

2. • My previous job: Sakai Chief Architect and Exec Director
• My research topics: Software For Teaching and Learning,
Web Lecture technologies, and High Performance
Computing.
• I also work in developing standards for learning software
interoperability
• Hobbies: Hockey, Off-Road Motorcycle Riding

3. www.si.umich.edu

4. informatics.umich.edu

5. Class of 2010
6 Women / 4 Men
6 Employed / 3 Graduate School

6. Python Courses
• SI301 - Social Computing / SI124 - Networked Thinking
• SI/EECS 182 - Introduction to Information Environments
• SI502 - Networked Computing
• SI539 - Design of Complex Web Sites (AppEngine)
www.pythonlearn.com

7. SI301 - Social Computing (SI124)
• Wisdom of Crowds - James Surowecki
• Networks,
Crowds, and
Markets by
David
Easley / Jon Kleinberg
• Chapters 1-18 - Avoiding all "Advanced"
material
• Student's choose additional book for group
project / presentation

8. SI301 - Projects...
Crowdsourcing
The Tipping Point
Influence: Science and Practice
Wikinomics
The Cathedral & the Bazaar
Viral Loop
Long Tail
...

9. SI182 - Building Applications
• Textbook: Think Python by Allen B. Downey
• Optional Text: Using Google App Engine -
Severance
• Completely cover programming in first 9
weeks
• Special topics and projects - Twitter API /
Google App Engine / HTML etc
Taught by EECS and SI alternate semesters

10. I don’t like programming.
I am not so good at math.
We don’t assume that
just because you are in
SI 182 a computer class -
that you intend to
pursue a computer
career.
Tech?
CS Degree Other Degree

11. EECS/SI182 - EECS Curriculumn
• Allows EECS to expreiment with a new programming
sequence
• Current: C - C++
• Informatics: Python - Java - C++
• The question is a combination of how many courses
toteach and how not to "lose" students in the process

12. SI502 - Networked Computing
• No pre-requisites • HTML and CSS
• Python for Informatics - focus on • Servie Oriented Architecture and
data analysis REST Web Services
• Internet History • Structured Query Language
(SQL)
• Internet Architecture
• Search Technology
• Hypertext Transport Protocol
(HTTP) • Security Issues and Technology

14. Python Textbook
• Python for Informatics: Exploring Information
• Author: Charles Severance
• Thanks to Allen B. Downey and Jeff Elkner
• http://www.py4inf.com/
• Free as a PDF
• Available the the Espresso (Shapiro Library) $10

15. SI539 - Google App Engine
• Aimed at beginner - includes Python,
HTML, CSS, and AppEngine
• Focus is on building a interactive, lively,
and creative personal portfolio hosted
for free on Google's infrastructure
www.appenginelearn.com

16. Gender/Technology Issues
• MSI is 65% female - B.A. Informatics is 50% female - Design Goals
• Don't teach past the breaking point - focus on core/useful skills
• Multiple learning paths / styles - lecture / recording / discussion / lab
• All examples and problems must be relevant - when in doubt use
data-driven examples about people - never number games
• SI502 W10 Averages - Female (n=63) = 95.5 Male (n=24)

17. I was always a humanities-type. Until I took SI502, I never knew
home much I loved to code. I am thinking about becoming a
digital archivist.
I am currently taking SI502 and am shocked to find that I
actually like it and want to do more. I see that you are not on
the faculty adviser list for the Fall but I was wondering if I could
meet with you to discuss future courses.
Thanks so much for everything in 539. I learned SO much! I honestly was
absolutely petrified of programming before 502 and liked it so much I felt
confident going into 539. And look what I can do now! (abby-
bedford.appspot.com) Thanks for making programming not scary!

18. Thank You
• informatics.umich.edu All of my lecture slides for
the courses I teach are
• www.si.umich.edu available as CC-BY. Please
contact me at
• www.si502.com csev@umich.edu
• www.py4inf.com
• www.dr-chuck.com