All computing devices that students use currently have multiple cores as well as a GPU in many cases. Most of their favorite applications use multiple cores and numbers of distributed processors. However, we are still teaching them to solve problems using only sequential thinking. Why?

This hands-on workshop will demonstrate how easy it is to open their eyes to exploiting concurrency in problem solving, starting in their earliest courses. You will be participating in unplugged activities that will help students to recognize examples of Parallel Distributed Computing concepts and concurrency in the world around them. You will learn how freely available libraries can be used to naturally exploit parallelism using shared memory parallel programming, using both plugged and unplugged activities that are usable in a classroom setting.

No equipment or prior experience is required. Though a laptop that can run C++, Java, and python is recommended for following along with some code examples if desired. The covered activities and discussion models have been used successfully to teach PDC concepts in early CS courses and will be available after the workshop. Participants will receive a stipend of $400 to defray their cost of registration and one-night hotel stay. The CDER center will also have a booth in the exhibition hall for additional support and to answer questions.