A radical approach to teaching object-oriented programming

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A radical approach to teaching object-oriented
programming

• Kate Sanders (PI)
• Ann Moskol (Co-PI)
• Rhode Island College

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The output

• Approach developed at Brown and adapted
• Text just out (Sanders van Dam, Addison-Wesley
  2006)
• Plus labs, groupwork, quizzes

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How its different

• Objects, inheritance, and polymorphism early
• Fun, graphical examples
• All programs have interacting objects
• Focus on design

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Does it work?

• Four semesters, two different instructors, c. 25
  students/semester
• Year 1 Adapting and developing materials
• Year 2 Get the data
• Gender, major, programming experience
• Assignments given
• Copies of all programs and exams submitted

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Step 2 analysis

• For each concept, for each program/exam
• What percentage of students demonstrated
  understanding
• At what level?
• Summarize results for semester
• Compare results by gender/major/programming
  experience

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Current status

• Third semester of four
• Materials 99 done, analysis beginning
• Suggestions welcome!