ViSCoS - online Computer Science study program
University of Joensuu, Department of Computer Science, Jarkko Suhonen

Esitysmateriaaliin linkki

In the ViSCoS (Virtual Studies of Computer Science) eLearning program, students study the first year (25 ECTS) university-level computer science courses via the web (ViSCoS, 2005). The curriculum of ViSCoS consists of three main areas – the preliminaries of ICT, basics of programming with Java, and an introduction to computer science (Haataja et al., 2001). ViSCoS courses are studied during three half-year semester: the aim is to finish the studies in one and a half years’ time (Torvinen, 2004).

ViSCoS studies started in September 2000. The program was totally new, and the use of online technologies made it possible for students to study from their homes or partner institutions. At first, ViSCoS was offered solely to high school students (ages 16-18) in the surrounding area of Joensuu, and it was open and free for anyone who was interested. Later, the program has expanded to other parts of Finland. From year 2004, ViSCoS is run together with the Continuing Education Centre of the University of Joensuu. Adult students can also study in ViSCoS and the whole program costs 250 euros for high school students and 350 euros for other students.

In average, 100 students per year have started studying in ViSCoS between years 2000-2004. Altogether 94 students have completed the program during this time. If a student passes the program with marks high enough (grade 3 out of 5), s/he is free to enter the organising university as a computer science major (Suhonen, 2005). In other words: students, who start their university studies already at the high school, can finish their university degree earlier. Almost all of the graduated students have earned a free entry to the university.

A concrete, already active, phase in the ViSCoS development is the expansion of ViSCoS to other cultural contexts, such as developing countries. The first steps have already been taken through creation of the ViSCoS programming courses in the Tanzanian context. The first programming course is also partly implemented in English. Another future development plan is the creation of ViSCoS Mobile where learners could use mobile devices in their studies.

References

Haataja, A., Suhonen, J., Sutinen, E., Torvinen, S. (2001). High school students learning computer science over the web. Interactive Multimedia Electronic Journal of Computer-Enhanced Learning (IMEJ), 3, 2. Available in http://imej.wfu.edu/articles/2001/2/04/index.asp. Accessed: February 13, 2006.

Suhonen, J. (2005). A Formative Development Method for Digital Learning Environments in Sparse Learning Communities. Doctoral Dissertation. Department of Computer Science, University of Joensuu, Finland. Available in http://joypub.joensuu.fi/publications/dissertations/suhonen_learning/suhonen.pdf. Accessed: November 29, 2005.

Torvinen, S. (2004). Aspects of the Evaluation and Improvement Process in an Online Programming Course – Case: The ViSCoS Program. Licenciate Thesis, University of Joensuu, Department of Computer Science, Finland.

ViSCoS (2005). Web site of the ViSCoS. Available in http://cs.joensuu.fi/viscos. Accessed February 13, 2006.