Learning Day

Lecturers: Dr A.C. Norman and Dr N.A. Dodgson
(acn1@cam.ac.uk and nad@cl.cam.ac.uk)

No. of lectures: 1

Aims

The aim of this course is to help students get the best out of Computer Laboratory courses.

Lecture

• Learning as a skill. Techniques to cope with lectures, practicals, supervisions and examinations.

• The objectives of the Computer Science course. Why the course has the structure and contents that it does, and where it leads.

• Contacting the teaching staff. How, where and when to get advice, make suggestions or complain.

• Computers for study and for fun. Use of your own, College, Laboratory, national or international resources for work, play and for keeping in contact.

• In case of difficulty. The difference between a difficult course and a disaster, and other classes of problem with ideas about how to start to resolve them.

• Health and safety. Issues relevant to computer users. Ergonomic advice. What to do should you experience any pain as a result of typing: RSI.

Objectives

At the end of the course students should understand the expectations that the Computer Laboratory has of them, should be aware of the resources and support available to them and should understand the importance of good working habits with regard to RSI and related matters.

Recommended books

Northedge, A., Thomas, J., Lane, A. & Peasgood, A. (1997). The Sciences Good Study Guide. Open University.
Fairbanks, A. (1932). A Handwriting Manual. Faber and Faber.
Pascarelli, E.F. & Quilter, D. (1994). Repetitive Strain Injury: A Computer User's Guide. New York: Wiley.