Robert C. Duvall

Everything I needed to know about teaching I learned in kindergarten: bringing elementary education techniques to undergraduate computer science classes

By expanding the teaching styles used in computer science classrooms, we can expand the audience of students that enjoy and excel in technology. Rather than focusing on major curriculum changes or new programs specifically for non-traditional students, we propose that relatively simple expansions in teaching style can have significant results. In particular, we advocate incorporating teaching techniques reminiscent of kindergarten: games, toys, stories, and play. These techniques promote an active learning environment, level the playing field for non-technical students, provide motivation beyond grades, and make class time fun. In this paper, we want to acknowledge the many activities others have proposed by providing a coherent categorization of such activities and show how to use these techniques throughout the curriculum rather than as special experiences.

Analyzing Student Work Patterns Using Programming Exercise Data

Web-based programming exercises are a useful way for students to practice and master essential concepts and techniques presented in introductory programming courses. Although these systems are used fairly widely, we have a limited understanding of how students use these systems, and what can be learned from the data collected by these systems. In this paper, we perform a preliminary exploratory analysis of data collected by the CloudCoder programming exercise system from five introductory courses taught in two programming languages across three colleges and universities. We explore a number of interesting correlations in the data that confirm existing hypotheses. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, we demonstrate the effectiveness and future potential of systems like CloudCoder to help us study novice programmers.

Thinking about binary trees in an object-oriented world

The Binary Search Tree serves as an important example when teaching data structures. We explore new approaches to understanding the implementation of a Binary Search Tree, using concepts from Object-Oriented Programming and C++. The Binary Search Tree illustrates how adopting a new approach and a new language can lead to a new way of thinking about a familiar problem.

Scrumage: A Method for Incorporating Multiple, Simultaneous Pedagogical Styles in the Classroom

Pedagogical approaches abound in computer science. Common approaches include flipped classrooms, active learning, gamification, and the traditional lecture-based approach. There are also a wide variety of computer science learning materials including videos, interactive tutorials, and textbooks (whether presented online or on paper). Instructor choices of approach and materials present a series of trade-offs and may favor some groups of students over others. We propose a method, Scrumage, (SCRUM for AGile Education) in an attempt to overcome the necessity of making trade-offs. We allow each student in a course to select among several pedagogical approaches and sets of materials to fit each individual students learning needs and desires. Scrumage adapts concepts from the Scrum project management technique. In Scrum, project teams are developing a product for a client. In Scrumage, student teams are developing knowledge with support from the instructor. We define and motivate Scrumage and discuss the implementation and outcomes of the technique in a class at our undergraduate institution.

Using and sharing programming exercises to improve introductory courses (abstract only)

Short, automatically-assessed programming exercises, and other types of short practice problems, are a useful way to introduce and reinforce concepts and techniques in introductory programming courses. When delivered over the web, they allow students to learn and practice, with immediate feedback, at any time and place where they have access to a web browser. However, such exercises do not seem to be as widely used as they could be. Similarly, there is not a lot of literature on the effectiveness of these types of problems. The purpose of this BOF is to bring together users (and potential users) of programming exercises with developers of programming exercise systems to discuss how exercises could be used more widely and effectively. Possible discussion topics include: What features are absolutely essential for faculty to consider adoption? What are the major obstacles preventing more widespread adoption? Are faculty willing to share their exercises under an open/non-commercial license? Should exercises best used for extra practice, as graded assignments, or both?

Automatic Environment Adjustment for Emotional Disabilities

One often-overlooked area for assistive technology is help for those with emotional needs. Since these individuals may not emote in a typical way, most techniques for affective computing will not work for this population. Further, the applications that detect emotion are generally concerned with helping the user with some task, not simply helping them with their emotional difficulties. In this work, we present React 2 Me, a system that uses ambient technology to detect multimodal behavioral cues that may indicate emotional distress and adjust the environment to help the individual regulate their emotions.