Title: Department of Computer Science Seminar
Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2003
Time: 4:00 pm to 5:00pm
Venue: Room N101, CSIT Building [108]
       
Speaker:  Dr Peter Strazdins

Title: The COMP1120 Experiment in 'Fast-track' First Year CS Teaching
       

Abstract:

In 2003, in response to the long recognised problem of diverse prior
experience in first year computer science students, the Department of
Computer Science at ANU ran a single `fast-track' course:
        COMP1120: From Programming to Software Engineering
for experienced students.

This seminar describes how the course was organized and run,
highlighting the initial issue of selecting appropriate students, which
was done in two phases.

An analysis of student entry and exit surveys, and student performance
over initial selection tests, mid-way tests and final assessment results
will give insights into the appropriateness of the selection criteria
used, and into some marketing issues.  The analysis, together with
anecdotal evidence, also gives some insight in the reasons behind
the unexpectedly small number of enrolments.

The seminar concludes with an evaluation of the COMP1120 approach, and a
discussion on alternate approaches with a view of improved
cost-effectiveness.

It is anticipated that the four other staff involved with COMP1120,
together with others involved in first year teaching, will be adding
their comments and perspectives throughout the seminar.


Biography:

Peter is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Computer Science at ANU,
with a long history in the Department.  He had successfully avoided
learning Eiffel over the years 1999 to 2002. 


URL: http://cs.anu.edu.au/Student/comp1120


Further Information: contact Peter Strazdins, Peter.Strazdins[at]cs.anu.edu.au

URL: http://cs.anu.edu.au/lib/seminars/seminars03/dept20031105