innovative practices in computer science
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Innovative Practices in Computer Science. Barbara Ericson Georgia Institute of Technology CCLI Conference Aug 2008. Innovative Practices. Alice Games Media Computation Robotics. Main Questions. How has the approach been assessed and what were the results? - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Innovative Practices in Computer Science
Barbara Ericson
Georgia Institute of Technology
CCLI Conference
Aug 2008
Innovative Practices Alice Games Media Computation Robotics
Main Questions How has the approach been assessed and
what were the results? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the
approach? How does the approach work with majors and
non-majors? What are the barriers to adoption of the
approach?
What is Alice? Free development environment
From Carnegie Mellon University Available from http://www.alice.org
Used to create 3D movies and games Used to teach object-oriented
programming Without the frustration of syntax errors
using drag-and-drop programming
Alice Assessment Used as a pre CS1 for "at risk" CS majors at Ithaca College
(Wanda Dann) and St. Joseph's University (Stephen Cooper) (n=25) SIGCSE'00 compared to a non treated "at risk" control group (n=30) and a not "at
risk" control group (n=52) "high risk" – lack of programming experience and weak math skills better grades for the treatment group in CS1 (about 1 grade higher
(3.0 versus 1.9) higher retention in CS1 (88%) than both control groups
"at risk" (47%) and not "at risk" (75%) higher retention through 2nd year (88%) vs (15% for "high risk")
Open questions Would any intervention for the "at risk" group had the same success? How well would it work for CS1?
Alice Strengths and Weaknesses Advantages
Used for teaching computing concepts without the frustration of syntax
Can be used to develop animations and games creative and open-ended assignments
Disadvantages Doesn't cover all CS1 topics Steep learning curve for getting started Doesn't work well on all machines Perceived as not "real"
What do we mean by Games? Types
2D arcade style games 3D computer games
first person shooter Wii-type interactive games simulation games
Role playing games Board games
Games Assessment Games as a context for CS1-CS3
Jessica Bayliss, Rochester Institute of Technology, RAPT program, SIGCSE'06 48 individuals in a distance first summer course (2 female and 5
minorities) 34 passed (only 37 took exam) (about 30% WDF) reports that students were highly engaged in the course, but not
everyone wants to make games Games as a context for a general education course for non-
majors, GDCSE’08 Jim Whitehead, Un. of Calif, Santa Cruz
two years with a total of 212 students (20% female) each year about 1-3 students switch to a game design degree 81% rate the course good to excellent
Games Strengths and Weaknesses Strengths
Attractive context for some majors and non-majors does increase enrollment in some courses
Can teach many computing concepts in this context CS1, CS2, machine learning, AI, graphics, etc
Weaknesses Doesn't appeal to many women and some men Steep learning curve for instructors Need a library of games and game consoles Game design degrees may limit job opportunities
linked listcollage
What is Media Computation? Writing programs that
manipulate media to teach computing concepts iteration as a way to modify
all pixels in a picture to negate the picture
conditionals as a way to remove red eye from a picture or to do chromakey
Covers CS1 and CS2 topics Developed by Dr. Mark
Guzdial at Georgia Tech
Media Computation Assessment Used as a CS1 for non-majors (Georgia Tech) or as a pre CS1
(Gainesville College), SIGCSE'04 majority female (53.8% Tech and 69.2% Gainesville) improvement on success in course
from 71.2% to 86%-90% at Georgia Tech (n=818) from 70.2% to 77% - 90% at Gainesville (n=81)
68% of students enjoyed the class and 42-50% wanted to take an additional media computation course (versus 23-31% for a CS course) (3.5% in a pre-course survey)
Used as a CS1 at Columbus State University With "traditional" CS1 sections as control (Lewis and Loftus)
better success and satisfaction with course with Media Computation no difference in CS2
Media Comp Strengths and Weaknesses Strengths
succeeds with women encourages creativity programs have concrete results has proven successful at many institutions with different instructors
and for large numbers of students
Weaknesses pushback from departments (not "real" CS)
not how I learned it misconception that it is easier than traditional CS
if it is fun they can't be learning CS sound cards needed in machines to do sound processing
What do I mean by Robots? Institute for personal robotics
at Georgia Tech and Bryn Mawr http://www.roboteducation.org funded by Microsoft Research
CS1 at Georgia Tech and Bryn Mawr robot with camera (includes
Media Computation)
Robot Assessment Two semesters trial (Georgia Tech majors and Bryn
Mawr undeclared majors) 90.87% success rate students enjoyed the robots reported the class being about computer science found the homework challenging a final exam comparison at Georgia Tech showed that the
robot course students did better on most questions but, mostly CS majors in robot class and non-majors in
traditional Jump in students taking CS2 at Byrn Mawr
2-6 usual pre robots and now 13-23 post robots
Robots Strengths and Weaknesses Strengths
Helps retain students in CS1 Helps attract students to CS2
Weaknesses Cost ($150 currently) robots have limited ability