Algorithms and Problem Solving for CSCI103 students

A few days ago SCSSE hosted a big social event in the form of a BBQ, Algorithms and Problem Solving for CSCI103 students. The event was designed to engage and network with CSCI103 students, to express and exchange concerns and make them feel welcome; with the aim to help and encourage increase their potentia.
This event was part of the University’s Social Inclusion Project Scheme (SIPS), http://focusonteaching.uow.edu.au/projects/UOW091021.html, which targets to “improve: access to undergraduate courses, retention and completion rates for students from low socio economic status (LSES) backgrounds.”

This was a great opportunity to allow students to communicate with the guests and their peers so that they could have a better understanding that CSCI103, Algorithms and Problem Solving, is a fundamental subject for their degrees. It also allowed for a sharing of good ideas on how to learn this as well as other subjects more effectively. As most students of CSCI103 are new in the University, they may face difficulties to grasp key concepts, theories and skills in the subject. More generally, students were expected to get a better sense of belonging, a stronger feeling of control on their study life, and even a better hope for the future.