Learning Computer Science over the Web: The ViSCoS Odessey

Abstract

Most of Finland’s landmass consists of vast, sparsely populated rural areas. Even though there are high school students in these areas who are interested in Computer Science (CS), and especially in programming, the educational institutions that they attend in these rural areas cannot offer them more advanced levels of CS studies. To meet this need, the Department of Computer Science of the University of Joensuu, Finland, has devised for such students an e-learning program called ViSCoS (Virtual Studies of Computer Science). This program enables ViSCoS students to study first-year university-level Computer Science courses through the medium of the Web. A total of 109 students completed the ViSCoS program between the years 2000-2005. The designers of the program concomitantly created a number of digital learning environments that supports ViSCoS learning and teaching activities. The FOrmative DEvelopment Method (FODEM), an action research-oriented design method used in the ViSCoS program, has enabled gradual development in the program.