The 2006 Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE 2006) continued a long tradition of promoting the widespread dissemination of innovations that improve computer science, engineering, and technology (CSET) education. FIE is a major annual international conference devoted to improvements in CSET education. It is an ideal forum for sharing ideas, learning about new developments in CSET education, and interacting with colleagues. The FIE technical program included paper presentations, panels, special sessions, workshops, peer-reviewed full papers and works-in-progress by experts in our field.

Susan M. Lord, University of San Diego and David T. Hayhurst, San Diego State University, the FIE06 General Co-chairs state that the: "Frontiers in Education conferences rely almost exclusively on passionate educators who devote significant energy and volunteer their time to make each year’s conference a success. As conference co-chairs, we would like to recognize a few individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to this year’s conference."

The General Co-Chairs continue to note that: "were fortunate to have an excellent group of program co-chairs who have assembled an exciting technical program. Ann Gates, Elizabeth Eschenbach, and Melinda Piket-May did a great job of handling the papers and WIPs from the review process to placing papers in sessions and finding session chairs. We appreciate the many hours that they dedicated to this monumental task, their creativity, and their willingness to stick with it. Ron Miller did a superb job as Special Sessions Chair and went above and beyond by taking over the coordination of panels and workshops as well.

The General Co-Chairs also note that Bob Hofinger (in photo below) continued his tradition of doing an excellent job as Exhibits Chair. Once again, Russ Meier handled the New Faculty Fellows program splendidly. We also thank Joe Hughes for his service in his second year as Awards Chair. We particularly appreciate the efforts of outgoing FIE Steering Committee Chair Jane Prey in support of FIE06.

Special thanks to Mary Heberling and her staff at University of Kansas Continuing Education. Since 2000, they have handled the conference logistics and shown immense dedication to FIE. We appreciate their tireless efforts in keeping us on track for FIE06. We simply could not have produced this conference without their professional, proficient, and cheerful assistance. We will miss our weekly conference calls with Mary!

We are grateful to Goranka Bjedov and Dan Budny for their hard work in the huge task of maintaining the website and providing support for the electronic abstract submission, paper review, and production of the final proceedings on CD.

Finally, we would like to thank our families who have patiently supported us throughout the years of planning for this event. Special thanks to Victor Chang, Marissa Rose Chang, and Kyrielle Lord!

Bob Hofinger (far left) a longtime FIE leader is seen staffing the FIE 2007 booth. Fanny Klett, the EdSoc Chapter Chair in IEEE-Germany, and Manuel Castro, the former Chair of the IEEE-Spain EdSoc Chapter were powerful speakers at the FIE. Luis O. Jimenez (right), Puerto Rico, delivers a gripping presentation about ethics.

Western Puerto Rico Chapter Chair, Efrain O'Neill (left), listens attentively to one of the many presentations at the FIE conference. Dante Del Corso (center), a leader of the Education Society Chapter in the Italy Section, pauses for a moment at one of the FIE luncheons. In the rightmost photo, 2007 IEEE President, Leah Jamieson (left), chats with EdSoc President, Daniel Litynski before the awards ceremony.

Norman L. Fortenberry (left), Director, National Academy of Engineering, delivers a stirring keynote speech at the FIE dinner. Relaxing at lunch, Patricia Mead (center), a leader in the Virginia Chapter and a professor at Norfolk State University, takes break between her two FIE presentations. From the University of Connecticut, Eric Soulsby (far right), waits for a session to begin. Eric is a longtime leader of ASEE's Educational Research Methods Division.

The Sunday evening reception at FIE 06 was held on the 1898 steam ferry boat, the Berkeley, which is docked in the San Diego Harbor. FIE participants traveled on double-decker buses from the hotel to the Ferryboat, where they were served delicious hors d’oeuvres, experienced a chocolate fountain and enjoyed cold drinks.

In addition FIE participants were able to visit three other exhibits at The Maritime Museum. These included: the world’s oldest active ship Star of India; the HMS Surprise, a magnificent replica of an 18th century Royal Navy frigate and B-39 Russian submarine.

Deanship of Graduate Studies at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) is pleased to invite prospective candidates for MS and PhD studies with suitable scholarships in all areas of Engineering, Sciences, Environmental Design, and Industrial Management. Support/scholarship includes monthly stipend, books, free tuition, accommodation, transport, and medical care. Selected candidates will be provided employment visa.

Interested candidates are requested to visit the King Faud University of Petroleum and Minerals and download application material from http://www.kfupm.edu.sa/gs Other material such as graduate bulletin, and a list of recently completed projects can also be obtained from the above site.

KFUPM is University of International repute and is one of the Top Universities in the Gulf providing Post Graduate and Graduate program for International students. As a result, many students from all parts of the world are enrolled in MS and PhD programs every year. For more information please contact: d-cgs@kfupm.edu.sa

2006 EdSoc Awardees

For a complete listing of awardees and a description of the awards go to: www.ewh.ieee.org/soc/es/esawards.html

The EdSoc's Administrative Committee held its semi-annual meeting at the 2006 San Diego USA on October 28. The day-long was very productive. Aside from electing a new President, Vice President and Secretary, two new Administrative Committee (AdCom) members were elected.

The EdSoc is financially sound with a net worth of approximately US$700,000. Our income for the current year is project to be approximately US$58,000.

In addition to the election of officers, which was reported above, an election to fill four (4) At Large seats on the AdCom was conducted. Susan Conry, USA, and Haniph Latchman, USA, were reelected, and, Edmund Tovar, Spain, and Rod Soukup, USA, were elected. Given that Susan Lord was elected Vice President for 2007, she resigned from her AdCom position, which created a vacancy into which Matt Ohland, USA, was appointed. A number of other items were discussed. A full version of the Minutes are available online for your review.

EdSoc President, Dan Litynski (left) listens attentively during AdCom discussions. In the center photo, AdCom members John Orr, USA (left), David Conner, USA (center), and, Russ Meier, USA, review the financial report. Society Treasurer Jim Sluss, USA (far right), reacts to a lighter moment during the AdCom meeting.

After a very long morning AdCom session (far left photo), AdCom member Melany Ciampi , Brazil, poses with her husband Claudio Rocha Brito, a former AdCom member, during their lunch break. Listening attentively to a presentation is Spain Chapter Chair Edmundo Tovar (far left), who is also a newly elected EdSoc AdCom member. Another new AdCom member, Matt Ohland, USA (right), offers his insight at the AdCom meeting.

AdCom member, Trond Clausen (left), Norway, appears to be pleased by what he's hearing about a topic. In the center photo Ted Batchman, USA (top), and AdCom Member, Haniph Latchman, USA, have their attention fixed on a presentation that came before the AdCom. In the far right photo, AdCom Members Victor Nelson, USA, and 2007 EdSoc President Joseph Hughes review the EdSoc Bylaws in order to make a ruling on a procedural issue.

In October 2006, officials from IEEE Region 8 (Europe, Africa, Middle East) including Victor Faoud-Hanna and Aleksander Szabo, and the Chapters Committee, Rob Reilly met online to organize a meeting for all Region 8 Education Society Chapters Chairs, members of the Region 8 Education Activity Subcommittee, and, members of the IEEE Education Activity Board (EAB) for the purpose of meeting each other, forming collegial relationships, and formulating a plan for the future. This event was funded by the Education Society, by Region 8 (R8), and by the IEEE EAB.

In addition to the R8 chapter officers, Region 8 Director, Baldomir Zajc, IEEE Vice President for Education Activities (EAB), Moshe Kam, 2004 IEEE President, Arthur Winston, and IEEE EAB Director of Education Outreach, Douglas Gorham attended. The Region 8 Education Activity Sub Committee members, led by Victor Faoud-Hanna, chair, and Charles Turner also lent their expertise to this meeting.

EdSoc chapter officers who were in attendance included: Michael Auer, Austria; Sakr Sohier, Egypt; Fanny Klett, Germany; Edmundo Tovar, Spain; Jose Salvado, Portugal; Vladimir Petrovic, Serbia; Aleksander Szabo, Croatia; Marjan Krasna, Slovenia, Anastasia Kastinas, Greece; Bakr Hassan, Saudi Arabia; Mats Daniel, Nordic; Natalia Chupakina, Siberia; Nicolaas Beute, South Africa; Victor Faoud-Hanna, France.

Slovenia Chapter officer, Marjan Krazna (left) offers his expertise and insight on an issue during the 2-day meeting. In the photo on the right, Fanny Klett, Chair of the German Chapter and Rob Reilly, USA, Chair of the EdSoc Chapters Committee, pose together for a photo during the tour of the Tesla Museum. Nico Beute (far right photo), Chair of the South Africa Chapter, makes a thoughtful presentation to the gathering.

There were a number of presentations by R8 officials, Education Society officials, and IEEE EAB officers. The presentations were excellent and provided interesting material. The Chapters Committee Report for this meeting is available online for your review.

In brief, the recommendations from the group were to:

• explore the IEEE Foundation as a viable source of funding for certain projects.
• support the 2007 Pre-University Engineering Summit as proposed by the IEEE-EAB for Fall 2007 in Munich.
• interact more actively with each other and craft proposals.
• utilize the Education Society Chapters Committee budget, which can provide funding for activities/projects that serve a clearly defined purpose.
• a well-defined role for the EdSoc in regard to student activity.
• more fully develop the online Distinguished Lecture Program.
• further refine the infrastructure of the EdSoc’s Chapters Committee:
  • establish a working relationship with each IEEE Region; we should advocate for the Region 8 model whereby there is a standing Region committee for the purpose of coordinating the activities of the Societies with (within) the Region, and,
  • the EdSoc Chapters Committee should continue to evolve the committees that are in-place.
• explore the various IEEE services that currently exist and advise the Chapter officials about them (e.g., e-notice mechanism, SAMIEEE, Web-based Senior Member elevation mechanism).
• develop an action plan to involve school teachers in the various Chapters’ activities. For example, we should promote the IEEE’s TISP project; invite teachers to Chapter meetings that address such topics as: pedagogy, educational technology, support local initiatives. Each of us should also sponsor one event in our Section that is focused on pre-university students (e.g., science writing contest, robotics contest).
• explore the accreditation of graduate programs by the IEEE (or some similar entity). This seems to be best enacted by establishing a committee to propose an action plan to accomplish this. Anyone interested in leading this?
• establish an information flow to the IEEE Sections and Chapters. It would seem that this is best accomplished by utilizing the various Region newsletters and Section newsletters.
• explore the legal status of each Chapter in the European Union, which seems to be less than it could be within the European Union. It appears that if Chapters had a certain legal status, which seems to be granted by the EU or their federal government, then they would be endowed with some beneficial powers and abilities.

The IEEE's Educational Activities Board (EAB) provided 3 of it top ranking officials to attend this meeting and interact with the participants. IEEE-EAB Director of Outreach Programs, Douglas Gorham (left) provided insight into his area of responsibility. IEEE Vice President for EAB, Moshe Kam (near right), spoke about the function of the EAB and how the EdSoc R8 and the EAB might interact. 2004 IEEE President and IEEE-EAB member Arthur Winston (far right) spoke to the group about his plan for an IEEE sponsored education conference in Munich for Fall 2007.

The local chapter chair, Vladimir Petrovic, hosted a tour of the Nicola Tesla Museum, which is located in Belgrade. This was an outstanding event and well worth the time. The Tesla Museum (right) is located in historical Old Belgrade. The museum contains many of Nicola Tesla's early papers, and, many of his experiments have been recreated.
The chapter officials were treated to a private after-hours tour of the museum (above far right). Professor Sohier M. Sakr, Chair, Egypt Chapter, watches a demo in one part of the museum, which was given by one of the seasoned and knowledgeable museum docents.

The Interactive Computer-aided Learning Conference is an annual interdisciplinary conference, which is held in Villach, Austria, focuses on the exchange of relevant trends and research results as well as the presentation of practical experiences gained while developing and testing elements of interactive computer aided learning. Thus in addition to typical topics, pilot projects, applications and products will also be welcome.

The ICL conference is a heavily attended regional conference that is now attracting worldwide attention. From Amman, Jordan, Professor Akram Alkouz (far left) relaxes during a luncheon break. The conference was also honored to have Honorary Life President of the International Society for Engineering Education (IGIP), Dr. Adolf Melezinek, Austria, (second from left) in attendance to offer his expertise. The FIE conference's workhorse and EdSoc leader Andreas Pester (right), Austria takes a brief rest during the conference.

Aside from the typical paper presentation sessions, the ICL conference offers an opportunity to:

• Run a workshop or tutorial.
• Organize a thematic session or a panel.
• Exhibit at the ICL products and developments of eLearning technology.

FIE keynote speaker and long time IEEE Computer Society leader, Kinshuk (left), Canada, has now become involved in Education Society activities. The IEEE-Lebanon Section Chair and EdSoc member, Professor M. Adnan Al-Alaoui (near right) lent his expertise to the conference by interacting with other participants and presenting a paper. From Princess Sumaya University in Jordan, Professor Omar Hasan (far right) shared his expertise through his presentation at the conference and interaction with other attendees. ICL 2007 • 26-28 Sep 2007

One of the many highlights of the conference was a tour of a local castle... the castle was in nearby Maglendburg. The two photos to the left show the castle. Seen in a relaxing moment during an FIE water cruise event (right), is FIE General Chair Michael Auer (left) and Austria EdSoc Chapter Chair, to his left is the General Chair of the 2007 ICBL Conference, Professor Golberi de Salvador Ferreira, Brazil.

Impatica for PowerPoint makes it easy to add narrated business presentations to your web site or e-mail marketing programs. Now you can deliver fully narrated and animated PowerPoint presentations to essentially any Internet device without plug-ins and even at normal modem speeds. It is the software of choice for the EdSoc's Distinguished Lecture Series presentations.

For more information, pricing, to view demos of the software, and to download fully functional trial software, go to: Impatica's Web site.

As required by Article IX, Section 2 of the Society's Constitution, "[n]o bylaw, or amendment shall take effect until it has been published" to the members. Thus a proposed Bylaw amendment is hereby posted. The proposal asks to change the name of the 'Chapters Committee' to the 'Chapters and Regional Activities Committee.'

The reason for this change is to have the title of the committee reflect its actual function. The Chapters Committee certainly deals with activities within their chapter's IEEE Section, however in recent months the chapters, and the EdSoc Chapters Committee itself, have become much more involved with other chapters, and, related activity at the region level. Also the current Bylaw (11.2) embodies the Chapters Committee, among other things, with the responsibility:

for the promotion of the Society’s area of interest within the regional and sectional organizations of the IEEE.