Video Resources
From ACSEWiki
This page compiles movie and online resources suggested by members of the ACSE mailing list. The purpose of these resources are to help supplement the curriculum in the Computer Science and Computer Engineering courses.
I have tried to divide them up into either Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or general (apply to both Computer Science and Computer Engineering), and within those groupings I have put them into themes relating to parts of the course.
Please feel free to add to this list and/or add comments or rearrange the resources so they make more sense. I have not personally viewed/used all of these resources so I make no claim to know how to best categorize them.
I have also added some comments and resources related to obtaining them and (the legalities of) showing them to your students.
--Elester 13:23, 1 Jan 2007 (EST)
| Table of contents |
General Computers
History:
- (Nova) The Machine that Changed the World (1999 - A rather dry/factual telling of the development of the computer but a tonne of info in that one)
Notes: - for more information see http://ei.cs.vt.edu/~history/TMTCTW.html - book companion - Dream Machine: Exploring the Computer Age (Paperback) by Jon Palfreman (Author), Doron Swade (Author), available on Amazon.ca - repackaging of this video into a short American History - "The Modern Marvels: The Creation of the Computer" (2005), available as a DVD on Amazon.ca
- The Triumph of the Nerds (3 volume series on the history of Silicon Valley - the first PC, Apple and Microsoft, etc.)
- The Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999 docu-drama with similar historical content to Triumph of the Nerds; based on the history book "Fire in the Valley")
Notes:
- dramatized rendition of the early days of Microsoft and Apple starring Noah Wyle from "ER" as Steve Jobs and Anthony Michael Hall from "The Breakfast Club" as Bill Gates!
- has been used as part of the history unit on computer architecture in ICE3M
- some potentially objectionable material, including some language and some mature situations so preview it first to see if you think it's appropriate for your class
- Here's the IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0168122/
Societal Issues:
- The Net (identity theft)
- Piracy is Good? (lecture about bit-torrent tech, entertainment industry and marketing)
- Terminator (any of them)
- A.I. (better for the younger kids - less nightmares)
- Enemy of the State
- Sneakers (An older movie about hacking done in a suspenseful, entertaining manner. Stars Robert Redford and a cameo cast of others.)
- War games
- Hackers (movie)
- CBS Passionate Eye episode on Spam (quite funny but has a few questionable sections that would need to be edited out)
- 60 Minutes episode "Pirates of the Internet" (documentary on illegally downloading movies and music)
- Fifth Estate segment called "Hackers" (very good)
Notes: - Gives one the impression that "to hack is to break the law." (Michelle Vidberg says) "I don't completely subscribe to that view. So I show the Fifth Estate video one day and the next I have them read a chapter of "The Hacker Ethic" (by Pekka Himanen) entitled "The Hacker Work Ethic" - available to read online at: http://www.netvironments.org/ECulture/Module3/HackerEthic/WorkEthic. Himanen (and Torvalds who writes the introduction) espouses the view that a hacker is anyone who pursues knowledge in their chosen field with great passion. So one could be a "hacker teacher" just by being very enthused and passionate about teaching, for example. After watching the video and reading the chapter I have them do some thinking and writing about which definition they think is most suitable."
Fun Stuff:
- Dead Troll (hilarious computer-related videos) http://www.deadtroll.com/index2.html
Other:
- PBS' "NerdTV" (available as web downloads only - its not aired) http://www.pbs.org/cringely/nerdtv/
- Next TV (a now defunct? Citytv program) segment called "Tech Trash"
Computer Engineering
Computer Hardware:
- Intel's Journey Inside the Computer (This video is part of a kit made by Intel but no longer available to buy; A bit childish but very good)
- Intel Journey Inside (based on the original video-based kit) - http://www.intel.com/ca/education/journey/index.htm and http://www.intel.com/education/journey/
- Thinking Machines - by PBS?
- How Stuff Works (on Discovery Channel) segment on how circuit boards are made
- Daily Planet (on Discovery Channel) segment on the First Robotics competition (November 2006)
- Daily Planet (on Discovery Channel) segments on computer interfacing called "Golf Swing Project" and "Lego" (both from May of 2003)
- Inspirations Series called "Inspiration Light Speed" (on fiber optics)
History:
- Nerds 2.0.1. - A Brief History of the Internet
Networking:
- Nerds 2.0.1. - A Brief History of the Internet
- Warriors of the Internet (12 minute animation tutorial about internet traffic, networking hardware, and networking protocols) - http://www.warriorsofthe.net/
- http://www.thenetworkadministrator.com/tvinterviews.htm
New Technology:
- www.labrats.tv - Hosted by Andy Walker and Sean Carruthers, showcases an array of videos from a beginner perspective on tech-related items. Not all can be related to Computer Engineering, but most of it can. As of now, there's 52 episodes online. This could keep your students busy for a while... and even have them learn something about new and recent technology.
- Tom's Hardware (http://www.tomshardware.com/) - Tons of great detailed information on current computer hardware. There is a great video online covering product comparisons, super cooling cpus, and showing how cpu's burn up when the heat sink is removed. More fun then educational but very interesting and short with funky disco music in the background.
Societal Issues:
Computer Science
Arrays:
- Sorting Out Sorting ((Luc Lamirande said) prepared by a university...can't remember which one. A bit dated but offers some interesting facts about the different algorithms used to sort. I find it goes over best with a grade 12 class.)
It is available from the University of Toronto at: http://www.utoronto.ca/ic/mediadistribution/pricelist.html#vids
Societal Issues:
- Anti-Trust (drama about open-source source software vs monopoly; stars Ryan Phillipe)
Notes: - if you freeze the DVD, the on-sceen code is a bit rude in places if you read Java (... especially the decision constructs)! The students enjoy this.
- Revolution OS (A documentary of sorts about the open source movement starring Linus Torvalds, Richard Stallman, Eric Raymond and so on; IMDB link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0308808/)
Issues Related to Obtaining Videos and Showing Them in Class
Be sure to do the following before showing videos to your class.
- Look under video and fair dealings in the copyright act. There are certain clauses dealing with education.
- (talk to your english department head as the) odds are that your school or school board has some deal with various movie labels to allow showing of the movies. If not, your English Dept. may still know about what can and can't be shown or legalities as they typically show many movies.
Can videos purchased by teachers (for home use) be used in the classroom? Can shows taped off of T.V. be shown?
- For more detailed information on copyright issues, see the "Copyright Matters" publication - http://www.ctf-fce.ca/en/Issues/copyright/CopyrightMatters.pdf
Many segments can be requested from the broadcaster through the "Cable in the classroom project". They usually just send a copy.
- For information on the "Cable in the Classroom project" see http://www.cableducation.ca/english/default.asp
