SLS Hackathon by YIJC for Bubble Sort in H2 Computing Study Guide

Overview

This study guide is designed to help you review your understanding of the "SLS Hackathon by YIJC for Bubble Sort in H2 Computing" resource. The resource primarily points to an embedded simulation related to this topic, developed within the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore project. While the direct content on Bubble Sort is within the linked simulation, the surrounding information provides context about its creation and purpose within a hackathon setting.

Key Concepts

• SLS Hackathon: A timed event where individuals or teams collaboratively develop solutions (in this case, likely related to educational technology or simulations) using the Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS).
• YIJC: Likely refers to Yishun Innova Junior College, the institution associated with the creators of this resource.
• H2 Computing: Refers to a specific level or subject within the Singaporean education system, indicating an advanced computing curriculum.
• Bubble Sort: A simple sorting algorithm that repeatedly steps through the list, compares adjacent elements and swaps them if they are in the wrong order. The pass through the list is repeated until the list is sorted.
• Open Educational Resources (OER): Educational materials and resources offered freely and openly for anyone to use, adapt, and share.
• Open Source Physics (OSP): A project focused on creating and sharing open-source tools and resources for physics education, often involving simulations.
• Easy JavaScript Simulations (EJS): The software tool likely used to create the embedded Bubble Sort simulation.
• Simulation: A computer program that models the behavior of a system, allowing users to interact with and observe its dynamics (in this case, the steps of the Bubble Sort algorithm).
• Learning Goals: The intended educational outcomes or knowledge that students are expected to gain through interacting with the resource (though specific goals are not explicitly listed in the provided text).

Quiz

Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.

1. What was the likely purpose of the SLS Hackathon mentioned in the resource title?
2. Based on the credits, who were the key individuals involved in creating the Bubble Sort resource?
3. What does "H2 Computing" likely signify in the context of this resource?
4. Explain in basic terms what Bubble Sort, the topic of the simulation, is designed to do.
5. What does the acronym "OER" stand for, and what is its significance in the context of this resource?
6. What is Open Source Physics, and how does this resource fit into that project?
7. What is Easy JavaScript Simulations (EJS), and what role did it likely play in the creation of this resource?
8. What is the main way users can interact with the Bubble Sort resource based on the information provided?
9. What are "Sample Learning Goals," and where might one typically find them associated with an educational resource like this?
10. What can be inferred about the licensing of the content provided on the webpage?

Quiz Answer Key

1. The SLS Hackathon was likely an event where participants were tasked with developing educational resources or tools for the Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS), possibly with a focus on computer science topics like algorithms.
2. The key individuals credited with this resource are Fang Fang, David, and Phow Loong, all associated with YIJC (Yishun Innova Junior College).
3. "H2 Computing" most likely refers to a specific subject or level within the advanced computing curriculum in the Singaporean education system, indicating the target audience for the Bubble Sort simulation.
4. Bubble Sort is a sorting algorithm that works by repeatedly comparing adjacent elements in a list and swapping them if they are in the wrong order. This process continues until the entire list is sorted in the desired sequence.
5. "OER" stands for Open Educational Resources, which are teaching and learning materials that are freely available online for anyone to use, adapt, and share, promoting accessibility and collaboration in education.
6. Open Source Physics is a project dedicated to creating and disseminating open-source computational tools and resources, particularly simulations, for physics education. This Bubble Sort resource, being an interactive simulation hosted on their platform, aligns with their goals of providing accessible educational tools.
7. Easy JavaScript Simulations (EJS) is a software tool or framework that simplifies the creation of interactive simulations using JavaScript. It was likely used by the creators to develop the Bubble Sort simulation embedded in the webpage.
8. Based on the embed code provided, users can likely interact with the Bubble Sort resource directly within a webpage where it is embedded, allowing them to observe and potentially manipulate the sorting process.
9. "Sample Learning Goals" are statements that describe what students should be able to know or do after engaging with a learning resource. While not explicitly listed here, they would typically outline the intended educational outcomes of using the Bubble Sort simulation.
10. The webpage footer states that "Contents are licensed Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License," indicating that the text and potentially associated materials on the page can be shared and adapted as long as attribution is given and any derivative works are shared under a similar license.

Essay Format Questions

1. Discuss the potential benefits of using interactive simulations, such as the Bubble Sort model, in teaching computer science concepts like sorting algorithms to H2 Computing students.
2. Analyze the role of events like the SLS Hackathon in fostering the development and sharing of Open Educational Resources within the Singaporean education landscape.
3. Explore the connection between the Open Source Physics project and the creation of educational resources for subjects beyond physics, using the Bubble Sort simulation as a case study.
4. Consider the importance of open licensing, as indicated by the Creative Commons license, for educational materials and how it can impact accessibility and pedagogical innovation.
5. Based on the limited information provided, hypothesize about the design and interactive features that might be included in the embedded Bubble Sort simulation to effectively demonstrate the algorithm's steps and behavior.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Algorithm: A well-defined sequence of instructions, typically to solve a problem or perform a computation. Bubble Sort is an example of a sorting algorithm.
• Embed: To integrate content, such as a simulation or video, from one website or source directly into another webpage.
• Hackathon: An event, typically lasting several hours to a few days, in which people collaborate intensively on software or hardware projects.
• HTML5: The latest version of the Hypertext Markup Language, used for structuring and presenting content on the World Wide Web. It supports interactive elements and multimedia without the need for plugins.
• JavaScript: A high-level, often just-in-time compiled programming language that conforms to the ECMAScript specification. It is commonly used to make web pages interactive.
• License: A legal instrument granting permission to do something that would otherwise be prohibited under copyright law. The Creative Commons license allows for the free use and sharing of creative works under specific conditions.
• Simulation: A model or representation of a real-world system or process that allows users to interact with and observe its behavior over time.
• Sorting Algorithm: An algorithm that puts elements of a list into a certain order, such as numerical or lexicographical order.
• Student Learning Space (SLS): A national online learning platform in Singapore that provides students with access to digital learning resources and tools.

Frequently Asked Questions about the SLS Hackathon and Open Source Physics Resources

1. What was the SLS Hackathon by YIJC for Bubble Sort in H2 Computing?

The SLS Hackathon by Yishun Junior College (YIJC) in 2019 focused on using the Student Learning Space (SLS) platform to create educational resources, specifically a Bubble Sort visualization for H2 Computing students. It appears to have involved creating an interactive model, likely using Easy JavaScript Simulations (EJS), to help students understand the Bubble Sort algorithm.

2. What is the purpose of the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore website?

This website serves as a repository of open educational resources, primarily focused on physics but also including mathematics, computer science, and other subjects. It provides access to interactive simulations, applets, games, and other materials created by educators, often using the EJS framework. The aim is to promote inquiry-based learning and make interactive educational tools freely available to teachers and students.

3. What types of interactive simulations and resources can be found on this website?

The website hosts a wide variety of interactive simulations and resources, covering topics such as physics (mechanics, waves, electricity & magnetism, thermal physics, quantum physics), mathematics (algebra, calculus, geometry, statistics), computer science (algorithms like Bubble Sort), and even some games for learning languages and other subjects. These resources are often in the form of JavaScript HTML5 applets and models, allowing for direct interaction within a web browser.

4. What is Easy JavaScript Simulations (EJS) and how is it used in these resources?

Easy JavaScript Simulations (EJS) is a free, open-source tool that allows educators and students with little to no programming experience to create interactive simulations and applets. Many of the resources on this website appear to have been developed using EJS, enabling the creation of dynamic visualizations and interactive models for learning various concepts. The license information for commercial use of the EJS library is provided on the website.

5. Who are some of the contributors and institutions involved in creating these resources?

The credits for the Bubble Sort model mention YIJC (Fang Fang, David, Phow Loong). The website also references collaborations with the Ministry of Education (MOE), the Academy of Singapore Teachers (AST), and various schools and educators who have developed and shared their interactive learning materials. The Open Source Physics at Singapore project seems to be a key driver behind this collection.

6. How can educators use these resources in their teaching?

Educators can embed these interactive simulations and applets directly into their online learning platforms, such as SLS, or use them as standalone tools in the classroom. The resources are designed to support inquiry-based learning, allowing students to explore concepts visually, manipulate parameters, and observe the effects, leading to a deeper understanding of the subject matter. The website also mentions workshops and presentations aimed at helping teachers integrate ICT tools and interactive simulations into their lessons.

7. Are these resources free to use? What are the licensing terms?

The contents of the website are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License, meaning they are free to use, share, and adapt, provided that appropriate credit is given and any derivative works are shared under the same license. Commercial use of the underlying Easy JavaScript Simulations Library has a separate license, which requires contacting the developers at the University of Murcia (um.es).

8. How does this initiative contribute to open education and the teaching of STEM subjects in Singapore?

This initiative promotes open education by providing a freely accessible collection of interactive learning resources. By focusing on STEM subjects and utilizing tools like EJS, it empowers educators to create engaging and effective learning experiences for students. The emphasis on simulations and interactive models aligns with modern pedagogical approaches that encourage active learning and deeper conceptual understanding in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.