Newsgroups: comp.edu
Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!sarah!leah.albany.edu!hb136
From: hb136@leah.albany.edu (Herb Brown)
Subject: Re: Setting programming exams in Comp. Sci. courses
Message-ID: <1991Jun3.121448.23459@sarah.albany.edu>
Keywords: viability? experiences?
Sender: news@sarah.albany.edu (News Administrator)
Organization: State University of New York at Albany
References: <chris.675829285@budgie> <13086@mentor.cc.purdue.edu>
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 91 12:14:48 GMT
Lines: 34

In article <13086@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> dbreiden@mentor.cc.purdue.edu (Danny Breidenbach) writes:
>
>In a calculus class this past year, we had every assignment done by groups.
>Each group turned in one assignment.  We gave the group the power to complain
>if one member did not do any work, but we viewed this as a problem for the
>group to deal with (with our help) whenever possible.  We also gave an exam
>in which the group did the exam.
>
>The logistics of such a venture are scary, and it takes a great leap of faith
>to attempt such a plan; but I assure you, our results were astounding!
>
>--Danny


I totally agree. In our (Mathematics) department, we offered a full range of
courses from Calculus for non-science/math majors to senior analysis and
algebra in a specially designed Computer Classroom where the students learned
mathematics by interacting with their computer, with the instructor at the 
blackboard, with the instructor's computer and with fellow students. They were
encouraged to colaborate throughout the semester, including the writing of
examinations. Some chose to work alone, some worked in groups of 2 or 3. The
weaker students, who would normally drop the course, were helped by the
stronger students to learn enough to pass. The stronger students advanced
beyond the level of the material through exploration. This was the first
year of our Computer Classroom and the results seemed positive.

Herb

 
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Herb Brown  Math Dept  The Univ at Albany  Albany, NY 12222  (518) 442-4640
hibrown@leah.albany.edu or hibrown@cs.albany.edu or hibrown@bst.albany.edu
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