WSE 2014 - Web Science Education: Sharing experiences and developing community

2009 in Athens, 2010 in Southampton, 2011 in Koblenz, 2012 in Evanston and 2013 in Paris: Web Science curriculum and education workshops have become a regular gathering point for all members of the Web Science community involved in organizing courses and programs on Web education in their institutions. From the fundamentals of the Web Science Curriculum to the experiences of “Teaching the Web”, these workshops have been well-attended, valuable and valued occasions to share practical experiences, discuss innovative ideas on interdisciplinary teaching and exchange opinions on contents and practices.
Over the past 6 years, Web Science education has evolved from Doctoral schools to undergraduate programs and for the first time in 2013, Massive Online Open Courses were launched at the Universities of Southampton and Koblenz. Web Science is now integrated into interdisciplinary education programs, working across disciplines including economics, sociology, social policy, statistics, psychology, geography, education, mathematics, politics and of course computer science. Programs are available on the five continents, in several languages.
Marking important recognition of this trajectory, in 2013, the Web Science Trust Network of Laboratories created a new Web Science Education Task Force. This group of WSNet members works as a steering committee to organize and promote activities within the Web Science education community.
Goals and objectives
The first goal of this workshop is to bring together researchers and members of the Web Science community involved in Web Science education: teachers, tutors, program coordinators, content designers and students, to have them present their programs, their courses, their teaching material and their experience with Web Science education.
The second goal is the creation and design of a collaborative platform to manage information, resources, teacher’s training, exchange of students or teachers, events, etc.
The third goal is to have this community share experiences and needs in the following directions:
Explaining key learning outcomes, students profiles in WS education
Program design (link with the professional environment)
Trans-disciplinary teaching techniques and praxis
Evaluation
Cooperation and exchange (Activities / Students / Teachers)
Teaching content design / resources sharing platforms
Expected outcomes
An updated, detailed picture of Web Science education programs and practices in the World that could be used for dissemination.
The continued development of the international Web Science Education community
The creation and design of a collaborative platform to manage information, resources, teacher’s training, exchange of students or teachers, events, etc.
Targeted Audience
The workshop will be of interest to anyone involved in the creation or delivery of Web Science teaching programs, with experiences sought in the construction of modules, design of curricula, or peripheral teaching activities such as marketing of courses or integration within institutional structures.
Last year’s workshop in Paris was attended by more than 25 persons. We expect a similar or higher level of attendance in 2014.
Schedule of sessions, panels, and talks (half or full day)
The workshop will span a half day (3 hours), with an introductory session, a panel of short presentations, followed by two discussion sessions on the expected outcomes.
The introductory session would last 30 minutes and would focus on the importance of “Web Science in Education”.
The panel will allow up to 4 presentations of Web Science Education programs, following a common structure (that will be provided with the call for presentations). This would last up to 45 minutes.
Testimonies of students or teachers would also be presented in very short format ? up to 10 minutes. This would also last up to 45 minutes.
The discussion sessions will focus on the 2 expected outcomes: Developing the WS education platform and the WS education community. This discussion would last 1 hour, with discussion in smaller groups and a final wrap-up for decisions and future planning.