Tim Bell (1980) CH Alumnus has the support of Google
Associate Professor Tim Bell (CH 1980-1982, Tutor 1984) from the University of Canterbury has recently received confirmation that the internet giant Google will sponsor his computer education project.
Tim, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Computer Science and Software engineering at UC, has developed Computer Science Unplugged – a computer education programme which teaches the principles of computer science without using computers. ‘Instead it used off line activities, low tech games, magic tricks and puzzles to engage students of all ages in a fun exploration of computer science topics’. Google has agreed to provide US $50,000 (NZ $75,000) of sponsorship towards phase two of the project which is ‘tentatively being called Unplugged Plus Plus.’ Tim recently visited the States on an Erskine Fellowship and it was during his ‘roadshow’ of Computer Science Unplugged that he was able to visit some of Google’s branches. Google plans to promote Unplugged Plus Plus through its website Google For Educators – google.com/educators.(More information is available on csunplugged.org) Tim was Chapel Organist while he was at College House and he writes ‘While I was there I met my wife who was at Bish (Bishop Julius Hall) and when we married we moved into Bish making me the first legal male to stay there and the first male member of the Old Girls’ Association!’
Photo: University of Canterbury