Page 219 - Getting the Picture Modeling and Simulation in Secondary Computer Science Education

Acknowledgment
Completing a PhD research project like this one is probably the biggest accomplishment of my professional life. While I traveled the entire route myself, there were a lot of people who made this journey possible through their selfless and continuous help and encouragement. I am grateful to all of you. In particular, I want to thank....
First of all, my past and present thesis advisors: Wim — for putting me on the track of this research journey, Bert — for pointing me in the right direction at a crucial junction and continuously keeping an eye on my travels, and Klaas — for making sure the route I took was suitable for all my passengers to follow along. And, most of all, I want to thank Erik for his help and advice along every step of this journey. For all our dates in London, Berlin and Helsinki — to name just a few — and all the museums and restaurants and other places we visited together. Erik, thank you for being a true friend.
I am grateful to Valentina who has been keeping an eye on my progress and regularly opened my eyes to new opportunities. To countless researchers I met along the way who helped me shape my thoughts and ideas. And in particular, to Jos with whom I regularly have interesting discussions and who always manages to point me to all these interesting jobs and gigs and research projects I have been doing since we met during CODI.
I want to thank all the students, teachers and school administrators who were involved in my research — I could not have done it without your cooperation and commitment. At my old high school, OSG Sevenwolden, I want to thank Gerry for approving my partial leave to engage in this research project, Peter for inspiring me on how to combine teaching high school with research; and all my other colleagues, for showing interest and patiently listening to the accounts of my research progress. Most of all, I want to thank Marijke — first my colleague, and always my friend — for standing by me in my darkest hour and helping me to stay afloat.
My colleagues at the Teacher Education department made my journey so much
easier — thanks to all of you who discussed research with me, and discussed kids,
and houses in Groningen, and gardens, and all other things life brings upon us. A To the bèta’s for being such support and inspiration: Enno, Alex, Deniz, Lidewij,
Gerrit and Martha. Big thanks to my roommate Marjon for making countless cups
of tea and always lending an ear. And of course, to Cor, for his endless patience
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