Alka Harriger
Heav 109
Purdue University
Spring 2014: Wednesdays from 1:10-2:00 pm and 3:30-4:20 pm.
Alka Harriger joined the faculty of the Computer and Information Technology Department (CIT) in 1982 and is currently a Professor of CIT. For the majority of that time, she has been actively involved in teaching software development courses. From 2008-2014, she led the NSF-ITEST funded SPIRIT (Surprising Possibilities Imagined and Realized through Information Technology) project. Since October 2013, she has been co-leading with Prof. Brad Harriger the NSF-ITEST funded TECHFIT (Teaching Engineering Concepts to Harness Future Innovators and Technologists) project. Professor Harriger's current interests include application development, outreach to K-12 to interest more students to pursue computing careers, applying IT skills to innovating fitness tools, and wearable computing.
The CIT Department offers baccalaureate degrees in both information systems development (including a number of database and web development courses) and telecommunications & networking. Additionally, CIT offers numerous service courses to the university in the areas of pc literacy and programming.
Education:
- M.S. (Computer Science), Purdue University West Lafayette, IN, 1981.
- B.A. (Mathematics), California University of Pennsylvania California, PA, 1980.
- B.S. (Math and Computer Science), California University of Pennsylvania California, PA, 1979.
- 2014 - Good to Great Award
- 2012 - Good to Great Award
- 2010 - TechPoint MIRA Award Finalist in Education Contribution to Technology - Dept/Prog/Team - SPIRIT Prog
- 2009 - TechPoint MIRA Award Finalist in Education Contribution to Technology - Department/Program/Team - SPIRIT program
- 2007 - Seeds for Success - Awarded to recipients of a single grant exceeding $1M
Textbooks and Editorships of Journals/Proceedings
- Lutes*, K., Harriger*, A., Erdei, R., (2012) An Information Systems Approach to Object-Oriented Programming Using Microsoft Visual C# Express. West Lafayette, IN: BoilerCopyMaker. (We got our rights back from the publisher for this textbook used in CNIT 155 and CNIT 255. Others have contacted us to use it in their intro programming courses as well.)
- Lutes*, K. & Harriger*, A., (2010) Introduction to object-oriented programming West Lafayette, IN: BoilerCopyMaker:. (We got our rights back from the publisher for this textbook used in CNIT 155. Others have contacted us to use it in their intro programming courses as well.)
- Harriger, A,, Nawrocki*, J., Berger, J. & Berger, M., (2010) SPIRIT Alice Programming Workbook West Lafayette, IN: . ((Available through Boiler Copy Center))
- Lutes*, K., Harriger*, A. & Purdum*, J., (2005) Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming with C#: An Information Systems ApproachBoston, MA: Thomson Course Technology. (ISBN: 0-619-21735-9)
- Harriger, A.R., (2001) (Ed.). Informing Science e-Book Krakow, Poland: Informing Science.
- Harriger*, A., Lisack*, S., Gotwals*, J. & Lutes*, K., (2000) Introduction to Computer Programming with Visual Basic 6: A Problem-Solving Approach Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
- Harriger*, A.R., Lisack*, S.K., (1999) Instructor's Manual to Accompany Introduction to Computer Programming with Visual Basic 6: A Problem-Solving Approach Indianapolis, IN: Que Education & Training. (CD-ROM with lecture guidelines, additional program examples, solutions to problems in textbook, and test bank questions)
- Harriger*, A.R., Lisack*, S.K., Gotwals*, J.K., Lutes*, K.D., (1999) Introduction to Computer Programming with Visual Basic 6.0: A Problem-solving approach Indianapolis, IN: Que Education & Training. (ISBN 1-58076-241-7 (893 pages))
- Harriger, A.R., (1994) (Ed.). Proceedings of the 1994 Information Systems Educator Conference Denver, Colorado: Computerworld.
- Harriger, A. R., (1990-1994) Founding Editor. Journal of Information Systems Education West Lafayette, IN: The Data Processing Management Association's Special Interest Group for Education. (Editor of CIS Educator Forum, predecessor of JISE, 1988-1989.) [Total of 20 issues over 6 volumes)
- Harriger, A. R. & Agrawal*, J. C., (1987) Applesoft BASIC programming Columbus, OH: Merrill. (371 pages)
Refereed Articles and Conference Papers/Presentations/Abstracts
- Harriger, A. (March 2013). Embracing the SPIRIT of computing. SITE 2013 New Orleans, LA. (8 pages.)
- Harriger*, A.R., Harriger*, B.C., Offner, A., Marrero, P. & Baysinger, R. (March 2013). Partnering with Industry to Engage High School Students in STEM Disciplines through Competition. SITE 2013 New Orleans, LA. (5 pages.)
- Forssén, A.*, Moskal, B., & Harriger, A. (April-June 2012). Measuring the Impact of a High School Intervention on Students’ Attitudes in Information Technology: Validation and Use of an Attitude Survey. . Computers in Education Journal. Special issue on Assessing Computer Programming Proficiency., XXII, 2-13. (Paper previously published in ASEE conference proceedings and republished here with ASEE permission.)
- Laux*, D. & Harriger*, A. (October 2012). Recruitment practices to engage female interest in computing . 2012 Grace Hopper Celebration of Women in Computing: “Are we there yet?” Baltimore, MD. (Presentation given by Dawn Laux and Alka Harriger.)
- Harriger*, A. & Cao, W. (June 2012). Using outreach programs to increase interest in computing majors . 2012 WEPAN National Conference: Getting to the Heart of it All: Connecting Gender Research, WIE Programs, Faculty & Corporate Partners (pp.1-12). Columbus, OH. (11 pages. Presentation given by Alka Harriger.)
- Harriger*, A. & Harriger*, B. (April 2012). Designing a one-day program to engage interest in STEM. NAPE (National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity) Professional Development Institute (PDI), Theme: Access, Equity, Diversity: We Have an APP for That! Washington, DC. (Presentation given by Alka Harriger and Brad Harriger.)
- Harriger*, A., Magana*, A. & Lovan*, R. (October 2012). Identifying the Impact of the SPIRIT Program in Student Knowledge, Attitudes, and Perceptions toward Computing Careers . 2012 Frontiers in Education Conference (pp.94-99). Seattle, WA. (Presentation by Alejandra Magana.)
- Forssen*, A, Moskal, B. & Harriger, A. (June 2011). Measuring the impact of a high school intervention on students' attitudes in Information Technology: Validation and use of an attitude survey . Proceedings of the 2011 Annual ASEE Conference and Exposition Vancouver, BC: ASEE. (16 pages. Presentation given by Anna Forssen..)
- Nawrocki*, J. & Harriger*, A.R. (March 2011). Using Alice games for classroom review. Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education Nashville, TN. (5 pages. Presentation given by Jane Nawrocki with support by Alka Harriger..)
- Harriger*, A.R., Harriger, B.C., Flynn, M.,& Flynn, S. (March 2011). TECHFIT: Combining fitness & technology to spark interest in STEM. Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education Nashville, TN. (8 pages. Presentation given by Alka Harriger..)
- Munson, A*, Moskal, B., Harriger, A., Lauriski-Karriker, T. & Heersink, D. (September 2011). Computing at the high school level: Changing what teachers and students know and believe . Computers & Education Oxford, UK: Elsevier Science Ltd.., 57(2), 1836-1849.
- Forssen*, A., Lauriski-Karriker, T., Harriger, A., & Moskal, B. (July-September 2011). Surprising Possibilities Imagined and Realized through Information Technology: Encouraging High School Girls’ Interests in Information Technology . P.K. Raju, Journal of STEM Education: Innovations and Research Auburn, AL: The Institute for STEM Education & Research., 12 (5-6), 46-57.
- Heersink*, D., Moskal, B., Dann, W., Harriger, A. & Cooper, S. (March 2010). Investigating high school students’ computing beliefs. Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Conference Louisville, KY: ASEE. (14 pages.)
- Lutes*, K. & Harriger, A.R. (February 2010). An online assignment submission system to collect participant deliverables. NSF-ITEST Summit Washington, DC. (This presentation shared a web-based tool that has been used successfully to collect deliverables from project participants..)
- Harriger, A.R. (February 2010). Bringing students to STEM through non-STEM subjects. NSF-ITEST Summit Washington, DC. (This presentation attendees about how using non-STEM pathways could increase one’s reach of students into STEM subjects..)
- Adams*, B., Harriger, A. & Doran, S. (June 2009). Camping With Alice . Alice Symposium. Durham, NC: Duke University. (3 pages.)
- Harriger*, A. & Farnsley*, G. (December 2009). Academy-Industry Partnerships to Bring Women to IT . Pradeep Shankar, Silicon India Magazine Fremont, CA: SiliconIndia, Inc.., 12-12, 38-39. (The managing editor invited us to write this article..)
- Berger*, M., Harriger*, A., Dooley, A. & Heck, C. (June 2009). Obstacles to Alice Adoption in the High School Classroom . Alice Symposium. Durham, NC: Duke University. (5 pages.)
- Harriger, A. (June 2009). Could Alice Equalize Student Learning? . Alice Symposium. Durham, NC: Duke University. (4 pages.)
- Snyder*, L, Hayes, D. & Harriger, A. (June 2009). Using Alice’s Visualization Capability to Promote Student Learning in the 9-12 Classroom . Alice Symposium. Durham, NC: Duke University. (3 pages.)
- Lutes*, K., Harriger*, A., & Purdum*, J. (June 14-17 2009). Do Introverts Perform Better in Computer Programming Courses? . Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Conference Austin, TX: ASEE. (9 pages.)
- Nawrocki*, J. & Harriger*, A. (June 2009). How Alice Game Templates Support Student Learning . Alice Symposium. Durham, NC: Duke University. (3 pages.)
- Munson*, A., Moskal, B. & Harriger, A. (June 14-17 2009). Surprising Possibilities Imagined and Realized Through Information Technology (SPIRIT): Attracting High School Students to Information Technology . Proceedings of the American Society for Engineering Education Conference Austin, TX: ASEE. (12 pages.)
- Harriger*, A. R., & Munguia*, A. (June 2008). Attracting and retaining females and minority students into Technology . Karen Peterson, WEPAN 2008 National Conference: Gateway to Diversity: Getting Results Through Strategic Communications St. Louis, MO. (presentation given by Alka Harriger & Toni Munguia.)
- Harriger, A. (October 2008). Finding Success through SPIRIT . P. K. Raju, Journal of STEM Education Auburn, AL: The Institute for STEM Education & Research.
- Harriger*, A., & Dadhich, S. (June 2008). Using an Academic-Business Partnership to Reach More Women . Karen Peterson, WEPAN 2008 National Conference: Gateway to Diversity: Getting Results Through Strategic Communications (pp.25). St. Louis, MO. (presentation given by Alka Harriger & Cathy Billingsley.)
- Harriger*, A.R., & Jacobs, C. (November 2007). Using Alice to engage students. Technology Educators of Indiana Indianapolis, IN. (The presentation informed technology teachers about the upcoming SPIRIT program as well as how use of Alice could enhance instruction in their technology courses. John McDonald and Suchita Dadhich were instrumental in loaning and setting up laptops for the one-hour session to give participants the opportunity of using Alice.)
- Harriger*, A., Jacobs, C., & Compton, Y. (October 2007). Using Alice to engage math students. ICTM - Indiana Council of Teachers of Mathematics Indianapolis, IN. (presentation aimed to inform math teachers about the upcoming SPIRIT program as well as how use of Alice could enhance instruction in their math courses.)
- Harriger*, A., Lutes*, K., Purdum*, J. (June 2007). Designing curricula to teach concepts and increase employability . 2007 ASEE Conference and Exposition. Honolulu, HI: American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). (10-page article presented by J. Purdum.)
- Mariga*, J.M., Harriger*, A.R. (June 2007). A multi-pronged approach to address the IT gender gap . 2007 ASEE Conference and Exposition. Honolulu, HI: American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE). (8-page article presented by J. Mariga.)
- Brewer*, J., Harriger*, A. & Mendonca*, J. (September 2006). Beyond the Model: Building an Effective and Dynamic IT Curriculum . Eli B. Cohen, Journal of Information Technology Education (JITE) Santa Rosa, CA: Informing Science Institute., 5, 441-458.
- Lutes, K., Purdum, J., Harriger, A. (2005). Ten Reasons to Use C# to Teach Introductory Computer Programming.. The Course Technology Conference Orlando, FL: Course Technology. (presentation by Lutes & Purdum.)
- Lutes*, K. D., Harriger, A. R., & Fanjoy, K. L. (August 2002). Teaching multi-tier software development using virtual machines. Rajiv D. Banker, Hsihui Chang, and Yi-Ching Kao, Proceedings of the Eighth Americas Conference on Information Systems Dallas, TX: Association for Information Systems. (presented by Lutes.)
- Harriger*, A.R. & Woods, D.M. (2001). A structured approach to teaching web development . (pp.23-27). Orlando, FL: WebNet 2001. (Presentation given by Denise Woods.)
- Harriger*, A. R., Lutes, K. D. & Ricci, Rosemary (2001). The negative impact of too much empowerment: Lasting effects . Issues in Information Systems (pp.120-126). International Association of Computer Information Systems Professionals Conference. (Presentation given by Kyle Lutes.)
- Harriger*, A.R. & Lutes, K.D. (2000). The negative impact of too much empowerment. International Association of Computer Information Systems Professionals 2000 Conference. (Presentation given by Kyle Lutes.)
- Harriger*, A.R. & Woods, D.M. (2000). Teaching the value of collaboration to the student web developer . WebNet 2000 San Antonio, TX. (Presentation given by Denise Woods.)
- Tomovic*, C.L., Pagano, M.A., Skvarenina, T.L., Newton, K. A., Harriger, A.R (1999). Supporting the implementation of student outcome-based assessment: The role of a school-wide assessment committee. Academy of Strategic and Organizational Leadership Journal., 3(1), 69-76.
- Lisack*, S. & Harriger*, A. (July 1998). A new use for an old program design tool. Informing Science Mini-Conference within WORLD MULTICONFERENCE ON SYSTEMICS, CYBERNETICS AND INFORMATICS (SCI'98/ISAS'98) Orlando, Florida.
- Harriger*, A. R. & Lutes*, K. D. & LaBarre, J. (October 1998). The role of design when teaching RAD tools in programming courses. Proceedings of the 1998 International Association for Computer Information Systems 1998 Conference Cancun, Mexico.
- Harriger*, A. R. & Lutes*, K. D. (October 1998). Making the transition to Visual Basic. Proceedings of the 1998 International Association for Computer Information Systems 1998 Conference Cancun, Mexico.
- Harriger*, A. & Lisack*, S. (August 1998). Tools to facilitate event-driven program design in introductory courses. Baltimore, Maryland: Association for Information Systems 1998 Conference.
- Goyal*, A. & Harriger*, A.R. (Winter 1997-98). Distributed classrooms. Journal of Computer Information Systems, XXXVIII(2), 62-67.
- Harriger*, A.R. & Goyal*, A. (November 1996). Selecting an expert system shell for classroom instruction. Proceedings of the Decision Sciences Institute 1996 Annual Meeting Orlando, Florida.
- Harriger*, A.R. & Goyal*, A. (Spring 1996). Bringing global connectivity into the Engineering Technology classroom. Journal of Engineering Technology
- Goyal*, A. & Harriger*, A.R. (March 1996). Using the Internet to create virtual classrooms. Proceedings of the Tenth Annual Midwest Computer Conference Chicago, Illinois.
- Harriger, A. R. (1995). Expert systems through visualization. PC AI, 9(4), 26-31.
- Harriger*, A.R. & Goyal*, A. (Fall 1995). Connecting geographically dispersed classrooms for computer supported collaborative work. Journal of Information Systems Education, 7(3), 91-95.
- Goyal*, A. & Harriger*, A. (Summer 1995). Using CSCW technologies to connect classrooms. In A. Goyal (Ed.), Journal of Information Systems Education Worldwide Conference on Information Systems Education - WISE. (Reprinted from WISE '95--see below--due to best paper award..)
- Goyal*, A. & Harriger*, A. (June 1995). Using CSCW technologies to connect classrooms. In A. Goyal (Ed.), Worldwide Conference on Information Systems Education - WISE (pp.106-109). Denver, Colorado: Computerworld. (Received Best Paper Award.)
- Harriger, A.R. (1994). Expert systems in the manufacturing classroom. In J.G. Chen, F.G. Attia, D.L. Crabtree (Eds.), EXPERSYS-94: Expert Systems Applications & Artificial Intelligence (pp.713-717). Houston, Texas: Institute for Industrial Technology Transfer.
- Harriger*, A.R., Al-Dhelaan, A., Agrawal, J.C. (1993). International team teaching using long haul networks. In W. J. Tastle (Ed.), Proceedings of the 1993 Problem Solving Across the Curriculum Conference (pp.43-50). Geneva, New York: Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
- Harriger*, B.C., Harriger, A. R., Froemke, J. (1993). IBM's partnership with engineering technology at Purdue University. Proceedings of the CIEC Annual Conference (pp.138-142). Orlando, Florida: College Industry Education Conference.
- Harriger, A.R. (1991). One perspective on the role of female faculty in a predominantly-male undergraduate curriculum. 1991 ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings (pp.1700-1703). New Orleans, Louisiana: American Society of Engineering Educators.
- Harriger, A.R. (1990). Using a classroom computer in a programming course for engineering technology students. 1990 ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings (pp.1366-1369). Toronto, Canada: American Society of Engineering Educators.
- Harriger*, A.R. & Wittry, E.J. (1990). A group project that teaches the need for functional integration. 1990 ASEE Annual Conference Proceedings (pp.1298-1301). Toronto, Canada: American Society of Engineering Educators.
- Payne*, M.J. & Harriger*, A.R. (1989). Problems with computer documentation: One solution. 1989 Academic Microcomputer Conference Proceedings (pp.217-223). Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana University, Ohio State University and the University of Akron.
- Stuart*, A. & Harriger*, A.R. (1988). Using an electronic writing lab to enhance students' writing. 1988 Academic Microcomputer Conference Proceedings (pp.361-369). Indianapolis, Indiana: Indiana University.
- Harriger*, A.R. & Stuart*, A. (1988). Making the computing student a skilled communicator. ISECON '88 Proceedings: Seventh Annual Information Systems Conference (pp.19-24). Dallas, Texas: Data Processing Management Association.
- Harriger*, A.R. & Baouendi*, H.P. (1987). A research case study for CIS I students. ISECON '87 Proceedings: Sixth Annual Information Systems Conference (pp.107-110). San Francisco, California: Data Processing Management Association.
- Baouendi*, H.P. & Harriger*, A.R. (1987). Using a college structured programming service course as a model for training industry professionals. ISECON '87 Proceedings: Sixth Annual Information Systems Conference (pp.293-296). San Francisco, California: Data P
Consulting:
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Software Consultant, Fairfield Manufacturing, Lafayette, Indiana, summer 1998
Developed a customized, stand-alone, interactive Visual Basic application for Fairfield Manufacturing that included two modes of linked operations, step-by-step calculation and individual & pump formulas, that are related to unique gearbox sizing computations for track, two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and drum vehicles. Interacted with Fairfield contacts to design a GUI that would meet their users' needs, and to test the accuracy to assure reliable results.
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Project Manager of the Expert Systems Technology Project , Purdue University, 1993-1994
The goal of the project was to project to select an expert system shell to be used to develop expert systems and decision support systems for the University as part of Purdue's Administrative Computing Master Plan. Three prototype expert systems were developed for screening admissions applications such that the university's response to most applicants could be almost immediate. This project was part of the University's business process redesign for New Student Entry.
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Past (Founding) Editor , Journal of Information Systems Education, 1988-1994 - formerly titled CIS Educator Forum
JISE serves as a forum for the intellectual exchange of ideas relevant to Information Systems educators. During the early years of JISE, the editor managed all aspects of publication including soliciting, reviewing, and selecting articles, as well as all aspects of distribution including marketing, advertising, registration, and maintenance of mailing lists.
Professional Affiliations:
- SIGITE , 2004-present
- IEEE , 2004-2006
- 2001 Informing Science Conference , program chair
- Internet Society , 1999-2000
- Decision Sciences Institute , 1996-1998
- Informing Science: International Journal of an Emerging Discipline , invited to serve as advisor, Spring 1997
- Association for Information Systems , charter member, 1995
- Internet Olympiad, committee member