Dr Jack Parkinson

  • Research Associate (School of Computing Science)

telephone: 01413308573
email: Jack.Parkinson@glasgow.ac.uk

Room F151, Sir Alwyn Williams Building (School of Computing Science)), University of Glasgow, G12 8RZ

Import to contacts

ORCID iDhttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6175-7638

Biography

I have been teaching in the School of Computer Science in various roles since 2016, mostly in Level 1 courses and introductory programming modules. I completed my MSci in Computing Science at the University of Glasgow in 2018 before working as a Research Assistant with the Centre for Computing Science Education (CCSE) on the development and delivery of the University's first Graduate Apprenticeship Degree, in Software Engineering. My PhD explored the relationship between spatial skills and computing science.

I am currently a post-doctoral researcher attached to the STEM SPACE Project aiming at improving STEM outcomes for primary school pupils through a spatialised maths curriculum.

Personal Website: jack-parkinson.com

Availability Checker: isjackinameeting.com

Research interests

Spatial Skills have been shown to be connected to success in STEM domains for decades; Computing Science is no exception. Spatial skills can also be developed through relatively lightweight training which does not take long and requires little prior knowledge or domain expertise. Improving these skills has been shown to improve multiple outcomes across STEM domains.

In my current project I am exploring developing spatial skills at early ages (among pupils aged 8-10) to investigate their impact on STEM outcomes. The project involves schools across Scotland with about 30 teachers involved.

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018
Number of items: 28.

2024

Parkinson, J. and Margulieux, L. (2024) Improving CS performance by developing spatial skills. Communications of the ACM, 68(1), pp. 68-75. (doi: 10.1145/3680409)

Parkinson, J. and Dziallas, S. (2024) Institutional Perspectives on Formal Work-based Learning Programs in the UK. In: 55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE TS), Portland, OR, USA, 20-23 Mar 2024, pp. 1028-1034. ISBN 9798400704239 (doi: 10.1145/3626252.3630879)

2023

Al-Anqoudi, M., Bikanga Ada, M. , McQuistin, S. , Ntarmos, N. , Parkinson, J. and Moshfeghi, Y. (2023) Traditional Vs Non-Traditional Assessment Activities as Learning Indicators of Student Learning: Teachers’ Perceptions. In: 2023 IEEE Learning with MOOCS (LWMOOCS), Cambridge, MA, USA, 11-13 Oct 2023, ISBN 9798350315592 (doi: 10.1109/LWMOOCS58322.2023.10305928)

Parkinson, J. (2023) Improving Computational Thinking with Spatial Skills Development in Primary School. In: 18th WiPSCE Conference on Primary and Secondary Computing Education Research (WiPSCE 2023), Cambridge, England, 27-29 Sept 2023, p. 3. ISBN 9798400708510 (doi: 10.1145/3605468.3609780)

Maguire, J. , Parkinson, J. , Cutts, Q. and Fincher, S. (2023) Expanding the Circle of Critical Friends in UK Computing Education Research with the Works-in-Progress (WiP) Workshop. In: United Kingdom and Ireland Computing Education Research (UKICER) conference (UKICER 2023), Swansea, Wales, 07-08 Sep 2023, ISBN 9798400708763 (doi: 10.1145/3610969.3613385)

Parkinson, J. and Cutts, Q. (2023) Understanding Spatial Skills and Encoding Strategies in Student Problem Solving Activities. In: 2023 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research, Chicago, IL, USA, 07-11 Aug 2023, pp. 134-147. ISBN 9781450399760 (doi: 10.1145/3568813.3600134)

Parkinson, J. , Dziallas, S., McNeill, F. and Stephen Williams, J. (2023) Exploring Models and Theories of Spatial Skills in CS through a Multi-National Study. In: 2023 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research, Chicago, IL, USA, 07-11 Aug 2023, pp. 122-133. ISBN 9781450399760 (doi: 10.1145/3568813.3600129)

Bradley, S. et al. (2023) A Methodology for Investigating Women's Module Choices in Computer Science. In: 2023 Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, Turku, Finland, 07-12 Jul 2023, pp. 569-570. ISBN 9798400701399 (doi: 10.1145/3587103.3594209)

2022

Parkinson, J. , Dziallas, S., Lewandowski, G., Mcneill, F., Williams, J. and Cutts, Q. (2022) Experience Report: Running and Participating in a Multi-Institutional Research in Practice Project Activity (RIPPA). In: 2022 Conference on United Kingdom & Ireland Computing Education Research, Dublin, Ireland, 01-02 Sep 2022, p. 4. ISBN 9781450397421 (doi: 10.1145/3555009.3555014)

Parkinson, J. (2022) What Does Space Look Like in CS? Mapping out the Relationship between Spatial Skills and CS Aptitude. In: 2022 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research, Lugano and Virtual Event, Switzerland, 07-11 Aug 2022, pp. 46-47. ISBN 9781450391955 (doi: 10.1145/3501709.3544284)

Kavanagh, W., Fraser, D., Hunter, E. , Pancheva, A., Parkinson, J. , Paun, I., Wallis, T. , Ada, M. B., Border, H. and Norman, G. (2022) Experience report: challenges and opportunities of remote labs for a computer science department. Postgraduate Pedagogies, 2(1), pp. 173-207.

Parkinson, J. and Cutts, Q. (2022) Relationships between an Early-Stage Spatial Skills Test and Final CS Degree Outcomes. In: 53rd ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE 2022), Providence, RI, USA, 03-05 Mar 2022, pp. 293-299. ISBN 9781450390705 (doi: 10.1145/3478431.3499332)

2021

Parkinson, J. , Bockmon, R., Cutts, Q. , Liut, M., Petersen, A. and Sorby, S. (2021) Practice report: six studies of spatial skills training in introductory computer science. ACM Inroads, 12(4), pp. 18-29. (doi: 10.1145/3494574)

Ly, A., Parkinson, J. , Cutts, Q. , Liut, M. and Petersen, A. (2021) Spatial Skills and Demographic Factors in CS1. In: Koli Calling '21: 21st Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research, 18 - 21 November 2021, Article No.: 4. ISBN 9781450384889 (doi: 10.1145/3488042.3488049)

Cutts, Q. , Maguire, J. , Fincher, S. and Parkinson, J. (2021) Forming Community in Computing Science Education with Research in Practice Project Activities. In: UKICER '21: United Kingdom & Ireland Computing Education Research Conference, Glasgow, UK, 02-03 Sep 2021, p. 12. ISBN 9781450385688 (doi: 10.1145/3481282.3481285)

2020

Parkinson, J. , Cutts, Q. and Draper, S. (2020) Relating Spatial Skills and Expression Evaluation. In: UKICER '20: United Kingdom & Ireland Computing Education Research Conference, Glasgow, UK, 03-04 Sep 2020, pp. 17-23. ISBN 9781450388498 (doi: 10.1145/3416465.3416473)

Parkinson, J. (2020) Investigating Spatial Skills in Computing Education. In: 2020 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research (ICER '20), Dunedin, New Zealand, 11-14 Aug 2020, pp. 340-341. ISBN 9781450370929 (doi: 10.1145/3372782.3407109)

Parkinson, J. and Cutts, Q. (2020) The Effect of a Spatial Skills Training Course in Introductory Computing. In: 2020 ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE '20), Trondheim, Norway, 15-19 Jun 2020, ISBN 9781450368742 (doi: 10.1145/3341525.3387413)

Somerville, D., Cutts, Q. , Parkinson, J. and Barr, M. (2020) Addressing Mixed Levels of Prior Knowledge by Individualising Learning Pathways in a Degree Apprenticeship Summer School. In: CEP 2020: Proceedings of the 4th Conference on Computing Education Practice 2020, Durham, UK, 09 Jan 2020, p. 14. ISBN 9781450377294 (doi: 10.1145/3372356.3372370)

2019

Simon, , Luxton-Reilly, A., Ajanovski, V. V., Fouh, E., Gonsalvez, C., Leinonen, J., Parkinson, J. , Poole, M. and Thota, N. (2019) Pass Rates in Introductory Programming and in Other STEM Disciplines. In: 24th Annual ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education Working Group Reports (ITiCSE-WGR 2019), Aberdeen, Scotland, 15-17 Jul 2019, pp. 53-71. ISBN 9781450375672 (doi: 10.1145/3344429.3372502)

Cutts, Q. , Barr, M. , Ada, M. B., Donaldson, P. , Draper, S. , Parkinson, J. , Singer, J. and Sundin, L. (2019) Best paper award: Experience report: thinkathon - countering an 'I got it working' mentality with pencil-and-paper exercises. ACM Inroads, 10(4), pp. 66-73. (doi: 10.1145/3368563)

Parkinson, J. (2019) Exploring Spatial Skills and Computing in Primary and Secondary Education. In: 14th Workshop in Primary and Secondary Computing Education (WiPSCE'19), Glasgow, Scotland, 23-25 Oct 2019, p. 16. ISBN 9781450377041 (doi: 10.1145/3361721.3362118)

Barr, M. and Parkinson, J. (2019) Developing a Work-based Software Engineering Degree in Collaboration with Industry. In: UK and Ireland Computing Education Research Conference (UKICER 2019), Canterbury, United Kingdom, 05-06 Sep 2019, ISBN 9781450372572 (doi: 10.1145/3351287.3351292)

Cutts, Q. , Barr, M. , Bikanga Ada, M. , Donaldson, P. , Draper, S. , Parkinson, J. , Singer, J. and Sundin, L. (2019) Experience Report: Thinkathon -- Countering an "I Got It Working" Mentality with Pencil-and-Paper Exercises. In: 24th Annual ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE 2019), Aberdeen, Scotland, 15-17 Jul 2019, pp. 203-209. ISBN 9781450368957 (doi: 10.1145/3304221.3319785)

Maguire, J. , Cutts, Q. , Parkinson, J. , Barr, M. and Somerville, D. (2019) Devising Work-based Learning Curricula With Apprentice Research Software Engineers. In: 24th Annual ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE 2019), Aberdeen, Scotland, 15-17 Jul 2019, p. 313. ISBN 9781450363013 (doi: 10.1145/3304221.3325576)

Simon, , Luxton-Reilly, A., Ajanovski, V., Fouh, E., Gonsalvez, C., Leinonen, J., Parkinson, J. , Poole, M. and Thota, N. (2019) Pass Rates in STEM Disciplines Including Computing. In: 24th Annual ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE 2019), Aberdeen, Scotland, 15-17 Jul 2019, pp. 267-268. ISBN 9781450368957 (doi: 10.1145/3304221.3325532)

Parkinson, J. and Cutts, Q. (2019) Chairs' award: investigating the relationship between spatial skills and computer science. ACM Inroads, 10(1), pp. 64-73. (doi: 10.1145/3306151)

2018

Parkinson, J. and Cutts, Q. (2018) Investigating the Relationship Between Spatial Skills and Computer Science. In: ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research, Espoo, Finland, 13-15 Aug 2018, pp. 106-114. ISBN 9781450356282 (doi: 10.1145/3230977.3230990)

This list was generated on Tue Feb 11 02:38:43 2025 GMT.
Jump to: Articles | Conference Proceedings
Number of items: 28.

Articles

Parkinson, J. and Margulieux, L. (2024) Improving CS performance by developing spatial skills. Communications of the ACM, 68(1), pp. 68-75. (doi: 10.1145/3680409)

Kavanagh, W., Fraser, D., Hunter, E. , Pancheva, A., Parkinson, J. , Paun, I., Wallis, T. , Ada, M. B., Border, H. and Norman, G. (2022) Experience report: challenges and opportunities of remote labs for a computer science department. Postgraduate Pedagogies, 2(1), pp. 173-207.

Parkinson, J. , Bockmon, R., Cutts, Q. , Liut, M., Petersen, A. and Sorby, S. (2021) Practice report: six studies of spatial skills training in introductory computer science. ACM Inroads, 12(4), pp. 18-29. (doi: 10.1145/3494574)

Cutts, Q. , Barr, M. , Ada, M. B., Donaldson, P. , Draper, S. , Parkinson, J. , Singer, J. and Sundin, L. (2019) Best paper award: Experience report: thinkathon - countering an 'I got it working' mentality with pencil-and-paper exercises. ACM Inroads, 10(4), pp. 66-73. (doi: 10.1145/3368563)

Parkinson, J. and Cutts, Q. (2019) Chairs' award: investigating the relationship between spatial skills and computer science. ACM Inroads, 10(1), pp. 64-73. (doi: 10.1145/3306151)

Conference Proceedings

Parkinson, J. and Dziallas, S. (2024) Institutional Perspectives on Formal Work-based Learning Programs in the UK. In: 55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE TS), Portland, OR, USA, 20-23 Mar 2024, pp. 1028-1034. ISBN 9798400704239 (doi: 10.1145/3626252.3630879)

Al-Anqoudi, M., Bikanga Ada, M. , McQuistin, S. , Ntarmos, N. , Parkinson, J. and Moshfeghi, Y. (2023) Traditional Vs Non-Traditional Assessment Activities as Learning Indicators of Student Learning: Teachers’ Perceptions. In: 2023 IEEE Learning with MOOCS (LWMOOCS), Cambridge, MA, USA, 11-13 Oct 2023, ISBN 9798350315592 (doi: 10.1109/LWMOOCS58322.2023.10305928)

Parkinson, J. (2023) Improving Computational Thinking with Spatial Skills Development in Primary School. In: 18th WiPSCE Conference on Primary and Secondary Computing Education Research (WiPSCE 2023), Cambridge, England, 27-29 Sept 2023, p. 3. ISBN 9798400708510 (doi: 10.1145/3605468.3609780)

Maguire, J. , Parkinson, J. , Cutts, Q. and Fincher, S. (2023) Expanding the Circle of Critical Friends in UK Computing Education Research with the Works-in-Progress (WiP) Workshop. In: United Kingdom and Ireland Computing Education Research (UKICER) conference (UKICER 2023), Swansea, Wales, 07-08 Sep 2023, ISBN 9798400708763 (doi: 10.1145/3610969.3613385)

Parkinson, J. and Cutts, Q. (2023) Understanding Spatial Skills and Encoding Strategies in Student Problem Solving Activities. In: 2023 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research, Chicago, IL, USA, 07-11 Aug 2023, pp. 134-147. ISBN 9781450399760 (doi: 10.1145/3568813.3600134)

Parkinson, J. , Dziallas, S., McNeill, F. and Stephen Williams, J. (2023) Exploring Models and Theories of Spatial Skills in CS through a Multi-National Study. In: 2023 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research, Chicago, IL, USA, 07-11 Aug 2023, pp. 122-133. ISBN 9781450399760 (doi: 10.1145/3568813.3600129)

Bradley, S. et al. (2023) A Methodology for Investigating Women's Module Choices in Computer Science. In: 2023 Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education, Turku, Finland, 07-12 Jul 2023, pp. 569-570. ISBN 9798400701399 (doi: 10.1145/3587103.3594209)

Parkinson, J. , Dziallas, S., Lewandowski, G., Mcneill, F., Williams, J. and Cutts, Q. (2022) Experience Report: Running and Participating in a Multi-Institutional Research in Practice Project Activity (RIPPA). In: 2022 Conference on United Kingdom & Ireland Computing Education Research, Dublin, Ireland, 01-02 Sep 2022, p. 4. ISBN 9781450397421 (doi: 10.1145/3555009.3555014)

Parkinson, J. (2022) What Does Space Look Like in CS? Mapping out the Relationship between Spatial Skills and CS Aptitude. In: 2022 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research, Lugano and Virtual Event, Switzerland, 07-11 Aug 2022, pp. 46-47. ISBN 9781450391955 (doi: 10.1145/3501709.3544284)

Parkinson, J. and Cutts, Q. (2022) Relationships between an Early-Stage Spatial Skills Test and Final CS Degree Outcomes. In: 53rd ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE 2022), Providence, RI, USA, 03-05 Mar 2022, pp. 293-299. ISBN 9781450390705 (doi: 10.1145/3478431.3499332)

Ly, A., Parkinson, J. , Cutts, Q. , Liut, M. and Petersen, A. (2021) Spatial Skills and Demographic Factors in CS1. In: Koli Calling '21: 21st Koli Calling International Conference on Computing Education Research, 18 - 21 November 2021, Article No.: 4. ISBN 9781450384889 (doi: 10.1145/3488042.3488049)

Cutts, Q. , Maguire, J. , Fincher, S. and Parkinson, J. (2021) Forming Community in Computing Science Education with Research in Practice Project Activities. In: UKICER '21: United Kingdom & Ireland Computing Education Research Conference, Glasgow, UK, 02-03 Sep 2021, p. 12. ISBN 9781450385688 (doi: 10.1145/3481282.3481285)

Parkinson, J. , Cutts, Q. and Draper, S. (2020) Relating Spatial Skills and Expression Evaluation. In: UKICER '20: United Kingdom & Ireland Computing Education Research Conference, Glasgow, UK, 03-04 Sep 2020, pp. 17-23. ISBN 9781450388498 (doi: 10.1145/3416465.3416473)

Parkinson, J. (2020) Investigating Spatial Skills in Computing Education. In: 2020 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research (ICER '20), Dunedin, New Zealand, 11-14 Aug 2020, pp. 340-341. ISBN 9781450370929 (doi: 10.1145/3372782.3407109)

Parkinson, J. and Cutts, Q. (2020) The Effect of a Spatial Skills Training Course in Introductory Computing. In: 2020 ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE '20), Trondheim, Norway, 15-19 Jun 2020, ISBN 9781450368742 (doi: 10.1145/3341525.3387413)

Somerville, D., Cutts, Q. , Parkinson, J. and Barr, M. (2020) Addressing Mixed Levels of Prior Knowledge by Individualising Learning Pathways in a Degree Apprenticeship Summer School. In: CEP 2020: Proceedings of the 4th Conference on Computing Education Practice 2020, Durham, UK, 09 Jan 2020, p. 14. ISBN 9781450377294 (doi: 10.1145/3372356.3372370)

Simon, , Luxton-Reilly, A., Ajanovski, V. V., Fouh, E., Gonsalvez, C., Leinonen, J., Parkinson, J. , Poole, M. and Thota, N. (2019) Pass Rates in Introductory Programming and in Other STEM Disciplines. In: 24th Annual ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education Working Group Reports (ITiCSE-WGR 2019), Aberdeen, Scotland, 15-17 Jul 2019, pp. 53-71. ISBN 9781450375672 (doi: 10.1145/3344429.3372502)

Parkinson, J. (2019) Exploring Spatial Skills and Computing in Primary and Secondary Education. In: 14th Workshop in Primary and Secondary Computing Education (WiPSCE'19), Glasgow, Scotland, 23-25 Oct 2019, p. 16. ISBN 9781450377041 (doi: 10.1145/3361721.3362118)

Barr, M. and Parkinson, J. (2019) Developing a Work-based Software Engineering Degree in Collaboration with Industry. In: UK and Ireland Computing Education Research Conference (UKICER 2019), Canterbury, United Kingdom, 05-06 Sep 2019, ISBN 9781450372572 (doi: 10.1145/3351287.3351292)

Cutts, Q. , Barr, M. , Bikanga Ada, M. , Donaldson, P. , Draper, S. , Parkinson, J. , Singer, J. and Sundin, L. (2019) Experience Report: Thinkathon -- Countering an "I Got It Working" Mentality with Pencil-and-Paper Exercises. In: 24th Annual ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE 2019), Aberdeen, Scotland, 15-17 Jul 2019, pp. 203-209. ISBN 9781450368957 (doi: 10.1145/3304221.3319785)

Maguire, J. , Cutts, Q. , Parkinson, J. , Barr, M. and Somerville, D. (2019) Devising Work-based Learning Curricula With Apprentice Research Software Engineers. In: 24th Annual ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE 2019), Aberdeen, Scotland, 15-17 Jul 2019, p. 313. ISBN 9781450363013 (doi: 10.1145/3304221.3325576)

Simon, , Luxton-Reilly, A., Ajanovski, V., Fouh, E., Gonsalvez, C., Leinonen, J., Parkinson, J. , Poole, M. and Thota, N. (2019) Pass Rates in STEM Disciplines Including Computing. In: 24th Annual ACM Conference on Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE 2019), Aberdeen, Scotland, 15-17 Jul 2019, pp. 267-268. ISBN 9781450368957 (doi: 10.1145/3304221.3325532)

Parkinson, J. and Cutts, Q. (2018) Investigating the Relationship Between Spatial Skills and Computer Science. In: ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research, Espoo, Finland, 13-15 Aug 2018, pp. 106-114. ISBN 9781450356282 (doi: 10.1145/3230977.3230990)

This list was generated on Tue Feb 11 02:38:43 2025 GMT.

Teaching

I am not currently in a teaching role, though I have taught across many areas of CS (and beyond) in the past. Previous teaching roles are detailed below.

University of Glasgow:

  • Spatial Skills Training 1 (Course coordinator)
  • SoCS Tutor Training Course (Co-convenor, Tutor Leader)
  • CS1CT: Computational Thinking (Tutor)
  • CS1F: Computing Fundamentals (Tutor)
  • CS1S: Systems (Tutor)
  • CS1P/X: Python Programming (Standard and Alternate Routes) (Tutor)
  • Faster Route: Succeeding in University Study in Computing Science (Technical Tutor)
  • Pre-Sessional: Introductory Python (M) (Tutor)
  • GA: Programming Summer School (Tutor)
  • CS+ (Masters): Programming Systems and Development (Lab Assistant)
  • GA: How to Learn a New Language (Demonstrator)
  • Interactive Systems (H) (Lab Assistant)
  • Cyber Security Fundamentals (H/M) (Lab Assistant)

Glasgow International College:

  • Pre-master's Statistics (Sessional Tutor)
  • Pre-master's Researcher Development (Sessional Tutor)
  • Foundation Introductory Programming (Sessional Tutor)

Professional activities & recognition

Prizes, awards & distinctions

  • 2019: ITiCSE: Best Paper Award (ACM Europe)
  • 2018: ICER: Chair's Award (ACM)

Selected international presentations

  • 2023: ICER (Chicago, IL, USA)
  • 2022: ICER (Lugano, Switzerland)
  • 2022: SIGCSE TS (Providence, RI, USA)
  • 2021: Koli Calling (Koli, Finland)
  • 2020: ITiCSE (Trondheim, Norway)
  • 2018: ICER (Aalto, Finland)

Supplementary

  • Invited Speaker: Discipline Based Education Research (DBER) series at Nebraska Omaha; Conference Chair Roles: UKICER '23 (RIPPA Chair), UKICER '21 (Submission and Event), UKICER '20 (Submission and Event), Digital Heroisms '20 (Platform), WIPSCE '19 (Submission)

Additional information

  • Previously worked as a Research Assistant involved in the development (up to delivery) of the Graduate Apprenticeship in Software Engineering programme, the first Graduate Apprenticeship programme launched at the University of Glasgow
  • Inaugural coordinator of the CCSE weekly seminar series
  • CCSE website coordinator and representative on the School of Computer Science's internal Website Committee
  • Contracted as a content designer and developer on Kaplan International's new International Year One computing programme, specifically as the development lead on Introductory Programming and Web Development
  • Former representative for Level 1 Tutors in Computing Science
  • Former member of the School of Computer Science's Tutor Working Group
  • Former member of the School of Computer Science's Athena SWAN Committee (now the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee)

Dr Jack Parkinson on Twitter