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University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire

NEWS RELEASE

News Bureau • Schofield Hall 201 • Eau Claire, WI 54702
phone: (715) 836-4741
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Visiting Scholar in Computer Science
To Present Lecture at UW-Eau Claire 

MAILED: Nov. 7, 2001

         EAU CLAIRE — Dr. Stephen Wong, a computer science lecturer at Rice University in Houston, Texas, will present a lecture at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire as part of the Visiting Minority Scholar/Artist Program.
         "Object-Oriented Programming in Introductory Computer Science or Better Students Through Abstraction" will be presented from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the Presidents Room of Davies Center.
         Wong will present an object-oriented-programming-with-design-patterns approach as a means of teaching students fundamental computer science principles and abstract thinking. Wong has found that abstract thinking is difficult for many students to learn, but is crucial for learning computer science. He has developed a process that uses carefully constructed lecture and laboratory materials to leverage intrinsic understanding of object behavior, combined with design patterns as a "meta-language" for discussing and emphasizing abstract concepts. Wong will discuss how powerful and appealing programming assignments can be used to inspire and motivate students while driving home fundamental computer science principles.
         Wong, who has a doctorate in physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, has taught both computer science and physics at various colleges and universities, including Oberlin College in his hometown of Oberlin, Ohio. He also has worked at several well-known research laboratories, including Kodak, Bell Telephone, and Hughes Research Laboratories.
         In addition to object oriented programming, Wong's professional interests include virtual machine architecture; software design patterns, especially as they relate to computer science pedagogy; recursive data structures and algorithms; scientific computing; distributed computing using Jini and JavaSpaces technologies; computer networking and client server databases; and various topics related to semiconductors and superconductors.
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UW-Eau Claire Home Administrative Offices | News Bureau
Judy Berthiaume
UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Schofield 201
(715) 836-4741
newsbur@uwec.edu

Updated: Nov. 7, 2001