Proceedings of the 2017 ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education

Abstract

Benvenuti a Bologna---welcome to ITiCSE 2017 in Bologna The Universita di Bologna was founded in 1088 and is the oldest university in continuous operation worldwide. Bologna itself has a rich history going back at least 3,000 years, and among other things boasts a well-preserved historical town center, many porticoes and towers. The city is ranked at the top on the list of Italian cities in terms of quality of life and quality of food. The conference continues to be a truly international conference with 241 submissions with a total of 554 authors from 40 countries on all continents: the authors came from Africa (5), Asia (33), Europe (232), the Middle East (11), North America including Central America and the Caribbean (189), Oceania (34), and South America (50). In total, a total of 175 papers, one panel, and 16 working groups were submitted. Additionally, there were 31 posters and 18 tips & techniques submissions. All research papers were double blind reviewed by at least six reviewers. This year, 56 papers (32%) were selected for presentation and inclusion in the proceedings. All posters and tips & techniques submissions were also reviewed by two reviewers. 24 posters and nine Tips and Techniques submissions were accepted. The nine accepted working groups will address a diverse section of topics, including student engagement, game development, integrating international students, assessment development, code quality perceptions, a holistic understanding through research papers, effects of lecturer intervention on student behaviour, the Internet of Things and early developmental activities leading to computational thinking skills. Participating in a working group is probably one of the most efficient ways to become part of the ITiCSE community. It provides participants a unique opportunity to work with people from different countries who are interested and knowledgeable in the area of the working group. This conference will have two keynote speakers. Stefano Zacchiroli from the University of Paris, Diderot will present the Software Heritage project; its goals, challenges, and potential scholarly and educational uses. Sana Odeh will discuss her work in broadening participation in computer science in the Arab world. In particular, Dr. Odeh will present the achievements of her annual Hackathon for Social Good in the Arab world. In addition to the tradition conference banquet, which will be held at a traditional Italian trattoria, conference delegates will have the opportunity to explore Bologna's sights, smells, and tastes. We hope you will be intellectually challenged, gastronomically sated, and culturally fulfilled. Furthermore, our most fervent hope is that you will return home with new ideas to try in your classroom, and new friends and colleagues with whom you can collaborate.