Computer Science Professor Awarded for Conference Paper

August 14, 2020

BUFFALO, NY – The European Conference for Innovation and Technology in Computer Science Education (ITiCSE) recently named Professor Jeffrey J. McConnell, PhD, among the top five recipients of its 25 Award.  The award recognizes the top ITiCSE papers submitted during the first 25 years of the conference.  McConnell is professor and chair of the Computer Science Department at Canisius University.  He was recognized for his paper, titled “Active Learning and Its Use in Computer Science,” which he authored in 1996. 

Jeff McConnell

McConnell’s paper maintained that student learning and the depth of students’ knowledge increased when active learning methods were employed in the classroom.  The paper further went on to suggest strategies for active learning, specifically as it relates to computer science students. 

McConnell has been on the Canisius faculty since 1983.  During his career, he has developed 15 new courses, taught 29 different courses, and worked with students on a number of projects.  Most recently, McConnell co-developed and is co-director of the college’s new master’s degree program in cybersecurity.  He is also the author of four books and has more than 20 journal and conference publications, 10 of which are in the areas of curriculum and teaching pedagogy. 

McConnell earned a BA in mathematics from Canisius University.  He holds an MS in computer science from SUNY at Buffalo and a PhD in computer science from Worcester Polytechnic Institute. 

One of 27 Jesuit universities, Canisius is the premier private university in Western New York. Canisius celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary during the 2019-20 academic year, marking 150 years of Jesuit education and leadership in the city of Buffalo and Western New York. Click here for more information about Canisius’ milestones and celebratory events.