Matthias Felleisen is speaking at PSU a week from Monday (June 2). The
talk is open to the public.
"The First Year in Computer Science"
Matthias Felleisen
Northeastern University
2nd June, 16:40–18:00
Location: Hoffman Hall Rm 109, Portland State University
Abstract
My team and I have developed an alternative approach to the first-year courses on programming and computing. Unlike conventional approaches, ours focuses on designing programs in a systematic manner. The syntax of the chosen programming languages (both Java and Scheme) is only discussed as needed to support design principles.
Field tests with over 500 high schools and a dozen colleges have shown that the approach produces better students than conventional approaches that use a single language.
In several controlled studies, we could also show that students find our curriculum more appealing than the AP curriculum.
In my talk, I will provide an overview of the project, especially its intellectual premises and principles. My goal is to encourage you to think about the first year in a different way. The old ones are of questionable value. If we want our beautiful discipline to survive, we must find a good way of teaching it."
http://web.cecs.pdx.edu/~colloq/felleisen-firstYear.html for more information.
1 comment:
Would LOVE to hear him talk... if only I lived anywhere remotely near.
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