using a variety of technologies to teach compute hardware background approach quizzes web quests ...
TRANSCRIPT
Using a Variety of Technologies to Teach Compute Hardware
Background Approach
Quizzes Web quests Basic programming Raspberry Pi
Results Conclusions
Background Difficult to teach computer students about future
hardware Hardware constantly changing
important to understand hardware and learn to learn Skills required
Work with limited information Solve problems Map new information to current knowledge
Computer hardware is a black box Need to demystify Build up student’s confidence Make enjoyable Show its useful
Background Modules seem standalone
Need to provide show links Promote cross-module learning
Feedback problems Writing skills important Difficult to provide timely feedback for written texts
Students IT students (not computer science students) No prior knowledge assumed
Module Introduction to Computer Hardware First year, semester 1 12 week semester, labs each week
Background Module
Concepts: computer hardware concepts basic hardware installation different types and designs of computer hardware computer hardware deployment and management
Learning outcomes include: ability to compare computer hardware types and designs demonstrate basic computer hardware installation skills interpret computer hardware specifications.
Strategies Quizzes
Weekly online quiz Motivation
Check knowledge and learning Provide timely feedback to students Student retention
Encourages participation Get to know lab partner
Format Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) Open-book, closed-book, web quests
Difficult to design good distracters
Strategies Web Quests
Explore and evaluate data from the internetComponents
Introduction Task description Description of steps Pointers to resources (optional)
Motivation Not feasible nor desirable to provide all information Need to learn to learn for life Expose students to wealth of information available
Strategies
Basic programming (Scratch)No programming module in semester 1Javascript: first year, semester 2Java: second year (semesters 1 and 2)Students have to write Scratch programMotivation
Introduce some programming element Link to other modules Learn to learn, minimal guidance provided
Strategies Raspberry Pi
Low-cost, credit card size computerNo guidance provided – asked to get
Raspberry Pi up and running Install Apache serverSonic Pi
programming environment to make music Students had to write tune and review other’s tune Some guidance provided (due to time constraints)
Results Labs completed successfully Difficult to compare with other years Student anonymous questionnaire
Labs clear and good for learningLiked working in pairsHad sufficient timeLink between lecture and lab clear
Disconnect reported by some students
Results Quizzes
Immediate feedback Improved attendance/participationResults spread was normal
=> questions not too easy, not too hard
Useful for lecturer See results in real-time Problem questions easy to identify
Results Web Quests
Digital natives, but not necessarily competent or savvy
Able to find infoUnderstood challenges of web quests
Basic programmingAble to use Scratch without problemsNot exactly like programming but
Used loops and variablesWrote more complex programmes - good
Results
Raspberry PiAble to use without problemsStudents enjoyed using Raspberry Pi
Especially Sonic Pi Some Flow experiences
Lab technicians perspective5 lab techniciansLabs worked well
No problems with quizzes, web quests Raspberry Pi usage beneficial and successful
Discussion Replacing lab reports with multiple choice quiz
worked Key is setting good questions with good distracters
Difficult for students to think …. and not just regurgitate information Need to understand subtle differences
Raspberry Pi computers Good to learn new hardware Build up students’ confidence
Conclusions Difficult to each computer hardware ab
initio Need to foster learning skills
Cannot learn all information on the courseNeed to learn how to learn
Combination of strategies workedQuizzes, web quests, Scratch, Raspberry Pi
Added bonusStudents enjoyed the course … good for
learning