Miriam Ferzli

Improving the CS1 experience with pair programming

Pair programming is a practice in which two programmers work collaboratively at one computer, on the same design, algorithm, or code. Prior research indicates that pair programmers produce higher quality code in essentially half the time taken by solo programmers. An experiment was run to assess the efficacy of pair programming in an introductory Computer Science course. Student pair programmers were more self-sufficient, generally perform better on projects and exams, and were more likely to complete the class with a grade of C or better than their solo counterparts. Results indicate that pair programming creates a laboratory environment conducive to more advanced, active learning than traditional labs; students and lab instructors report labs to be more productive and less frustrating.

In Support of Pair Programming in the Introductory Computer Science Course

A formal pair programming experiment was run at North Carolina to empirically assess the educational efficacy of the technique in a CS1 course. Results indicate that students who practice pair programming perform better on programming projects and are more likely to succeed by completing the class with a C or better. Student pairs are more self-sufficient which reduces their reliance on the teaching staff. Qualitatively, paired students demonstrate higher order thinking skills than students who work alone. These results are supportive of pair programming as a collaborative learning technique.

Writing to Learn by Learning to Write in the Disciplines

The traditional distinction between writing across the curriculum and writing in the disciplines (WID) as writing to learn versus learning to write understates WIDs focus on learning in the disciplines. Advocates of WID have described learning as socialization, but little research addresses how writing disciplinary discourses in disciplinary settings encourages socialization into the disciplines. Data from interviews with students who wrote lab reports in a biology lab suggest five ways in which writing promotes learning in scientific disciplines. Drawing on theories of situated learning, the authors argue that apprenticeship genres can encourage socialization into disciplinary communities.

Pair Learning: With an Eye Toward Future Success

Pair programming is a practice in which two programmers work collaboratively at one computer on the same design, algorithm, or code. Prior research indicates that pair programmers produce higher quality code in essentially half the time taken by solo programmers. Pair programming is becoming increasingly popular in industry and in university curricula. An experiment was run at North Carolina State University over a period of one and a half years to assess the efficacy of pair programming as an alternative educational technique in an introductory programming course. We found that the retention rate of the students in the introductory programming courses is equal to or better than that of the students in the solo programming courses. Most students show a positive attitude towards collaborative programming, and students in paired classes continue to be successful in subsequent programming classes that require solo programming. Pair programming also leads to a reduced workload for the course staff in terms of grading, questions answered and teaching effort.

Preparing Biology Graduate Teaching Assistants for Their Roles as Instructors: An Assessment of Institutional Approaches

Faculty and staff were surveyed to assess the professional development (PD) for teaching provided to biology graduate students at academic institutions. Although more than 90% of institutions provided PD, it was most often presemester and less than 10 h. Respondents most satisfied with their PD had programs with greater breadth and institutional support.

The Bennett’s Millpond Environmental Learning Project: Place-Based Education with Student-Teacher Research Teams

This chapter describes a case study of place-based education in action called the Bennett’s Millpond Environmental Learning Project. The work sought to engage high school students and teachers in place-based, collaborative research experiences related to environmental sustainability. Results from a formal evaluation of the project are discussed. Several themes related to science teacher education and professional development that emerged from the data are presented, including teacher development as researchers, teacher development of collaborations with the community, and teacher use of technology to facilitate learning and outreach. An argument is provided for the importance of technology as a mediator that allows both teachers and students to easily move between local place-based environmental sustainability issues and global worldviews.