Lydia K. Fritz

Introducing students to problem-solving and logical thinking is what keeps Lydia K. Fritz enthralled by her work.

“Computer science demands careful problem analysis,” Fritz says, “and I find value in helping people develop logical thinking skills that can be applied to a variety of problems.”

The importance of those skills has been the motivation to develop her own talents as an educator.

“I particularly enjoy teaching computer science to early undergraduates,” Fritz says. “I have spent many years working with this population of students and have developed strategies for identifying problems and making improvements in the way curriculum is presented and feedback is delivered.”

Fritz is interested in the way student success is assessed in computer science and considers effective assessment “the cornerstone of any academic program.”

She incorporates a variety of assessment methods into her teaching of courses in logic, object-oriented programming, data structures and analysis, and introductory computer programming.

Formerly an assistant professor and the program lead for undergraduate computer science at Grand Canyon University, Fritz comes to the School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, one of seven schools in the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering at Arizona State University, for the opportunity to focus more intensely on teaching and research in computer science education.

This fall, she is teaching the CSE 259  Logic in Programming and CSE310 Data Structures and Algorithms.

Fritz advises her students to be prepared to listen in class, engage in discussion and try new things.
 
“I’ve been teaching a long time and I’m really good at helping students learn. So, reach out to me. I’m friendly,” she says.

Fritz is particularly excited about being part of what she describes as Fulton Schools’ “large and exciting” computer science program and getting opportunities to work with student assistants.

“I am excited to see how the student teaching assistant system works. I’ve never worked with teaching assistants, graders and the like,” she says.

Fritz has worked for more than a decade with the Educational Testing Service by participating in the AP Computer Science A Exam reading,  grading exams and supporting a team of graders.

When not on the job, Fritz pursues of variety of activities.

“I do all kinds of stuff,” she says. “Right now, I’m on a crafts kick. But as soon as the weather cools down, I hope to be back out on my bike or hiking on trails.”

Meet the newest faculty members of the Fulton Schools of Engineering here.

Written by Joe Kullman