Jeffrey L. Popyack

Redesigning introductory computer programming using multi-level online modules for a mixed audience

We report here on an extensive redesign and unification of the Introductory Computer Programming sequences offered to computer science, computer engineering, information science and digital media majors. The redesign is intended to improve student learning while reducing costs. The approach makes use of substantial Web-based course material and course management tools, including multi-level online modules that individualize instruction and enable students to self-schedule learning each week. Each module covers a particular aspect of computer programming at different levels of knowledge. Students are assigned work and reading from the module at a level appropriate to the objectives of the long-term goals of their major. This allows students in different majors to acquire the appropriate skill level for each technique and concept. Peer mentors and teaching assistants provide assistance online or in person. In the future, we plan to expand the self-scheduling aspect of the course to allow students to enter the course at different modules, depending on their previous knowledge.

Assessment of a course redesign: introductory computer programming using online modules

We assess the effectiveness of an extensive redesign of the first Computer Programming course offered to computer science and computer engineering majors. Our goals were to improve student learning while reducing costs by making use of substantial Web-based course material and course management tools, including multi-level online modules that individualize instruction and enable students to self-schedule learning each week. DFW rates and costs were significantly reduced by the redesign.

Academic dishonesty in a high-tech environment

Advances in computing and telecommunication technology provide abundant new opportunities for academic dishonesty. Anecdotal evidence suggests that students are far more aware than faculty of various mechanisms for cheating on exams, plagiarizing assignments, and soliciting work for pay. Fortunately, technological advances also provide the alert instructor with some tools for combating such academic dishonesty.In this session, we will present information on how calculators, cell phones, beepers, and other handheld technology may be used to cheat on exams; how the Internet is used to match students with sources for solutions to their assignments; and existing tools and services for the faculty member.The intention of this session is to inform faculty about various ways that students may commit academic fraud; and tools and approaches that are available to reduce their effectiveness. We also hope to gain further information from other faculty and/or students in attendance. We do not intend to debate whether these activities should be allowed due to the ease with which they are committed, as is often discussed.We will provide a bibliography of articles about high-tech academic dishonesty, software tools and services for detecting plagiarism (including shared code in programming assignments), and Internet resources.

Tools and techniques for large scale grading using Web-based commercial off-the-shelf software

Courseware/Course Management Systems (CMS) such as WebCT or Blackboard are an increasingly popular way to provide a web presence for a course. However, their current web-browser reliance makes it difficult for them to provide functionality that could be useful to computer science instructors. This paper describes our augmentation of a CMS in a large introductory computer science class. It further describes our enhancement of the CMS by clientside software (i.e. residing on the graders computer), written for use by the instructors and graders. Finally, it indicates how conventional CMS architecture can be extended to provide additional functionality that would be desirable for computer science instruction.

Blackjack-playing agents in an advanced AI course

Blackjack is a multi-player card game in which each player makes a sequence of decisions based on a partially-observed game state that evolves under uncertainty. In its casino variant, Blackjack is typically played as a set of separate contests, each involving a player and the dealer, whose decisions are determined according to a published, fixed policy. We have developed and used a sequence of assignments for an advanced artificial intelligence course in which students determine an optimal strategy for Blackjack, modeled as a Markov Decision Process. The course culminates in a Blackjack tournament in which agents employ policies students have determined through their analyses.

Prohacktivity, or one giant hack for mankind

SOMETHING’S HAPPENING, and it’s likely happening near you. Computer programmers, once derided as societal misfits, are using their skills to benefit society. Frequently listed among the highest paying and most satisfying occupations (including #1 in US News and World Report’s 100 top jobs of 2014 [12]), software developers are nevertheless offering their talents where needed for free. Something is happening, all right, and it’s happening despite a shortage of qualified workers in a field with a projected growth of 22% over the next decade, a rate reported by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as “much faster than the average for all occupations” [1].

Raspberry HadooPI: A Low-Cost, Hands-On Laboratory in Big Data and Analytics (Abstract Only)

Educating STEM students in the techniques of massively parallel computing anticipates a growing current and future need for scientists, engineers, and analysts who are facile with Big Data. Using very low cost hardware (Raspberry Pi) and free software (Hadoop) we are exposing students to distributed computing while limiting expense. We anticipate that micro-cluster labs and projects will give students hands on experience necessary so they can be prepared to use these methods in real world applications. A series of lessons and projects were developed to teach Hadoop and MapReduce, and were extended into STAR (Students Tackling Advanced Research) summer competitive research projects.

UPSILON PI EPSILON Upsilon Pi Epsilon's half century

Greetings! January 10, 2017 marked the 50th anniversary of the founding of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, kicking off what promises to be a yearlong celebration. We take this opportunity to introduce UPE to new readers, and review highlights of the first half century. Our guest co-author is Orlando Madrigal, who has served UPE in many capacities, most notably as International Secretary and Executive Director.

UPSILON PI EPSILON UPE 2016 national meeting, and celebrating outstanding student achievement

Greetings! Winter and spring are always busy for Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE), and this year has been no exception. Our annual national convention brought chapters together in mid-February, and the bustling activities reported there left a significantly charged membership in their wake. We also reviewed some inspirational award applications, and I had an opportunity to serve as a reviewer for an outstanding new award for high school students, an experience I’m excited to share with you.

Society in transition

Greetings! This year has marked some transitions for Upsilon Pi Epsilon -- both in operations and constitutionally. It also marked another year of outstanding student achievement and awards.