Dealing with Different Student Abilities: “Thinking outside the Answer Box” Mary Sanseverino UVic Dept of Computer Science June 10, 2003

Overview Setting the scene: –large class, learning mission –problems (abilities, resources) Strategy: –details Evaluation: –What worked, what didn’t Pros / Cons of stepping out of the box.

Setting the Scene Learning Goals –overview Info Tech and Info Processing –hands-on exercises –build technical and evaluative skills Class Demographics –approx. 350 students –70% in first year –60/40 male/female split –up to 24 students in a lab

Major problems: –Divergent skills and abilities. –Programming module is most difficult of all. Experience helps and hinders –Not enough one-on-one contact in lab sessions. Focus on Most Difficult Area: –How to deepen abilities of experienced students and bring beginners up to speed? Student Side: Resource Side:

Strategy Get the students to do the work! –Programming assignments too easy for experienced students –Experienced students are not that experienced. –Get them to teach / assist their peers. Addresses both student and resource issues.

Strategy: Details Identifying candidates Setting up lines of authority Keeping things fair Making sure correct information is passed on Evaluating the assisting students

Strategy: Details Identifying candidates Setting up lines of authority Keeping things fair Making sure correct information is passed on Evaluating the assisting students

Strategy: Details Identifying candidates Setting up lines of authority Keeping things fair Making sure correct information is passed on Evaluating the assisting students

Strategy: Details Identifying candidates Setting up lines of authority Keeping things fair Making sure correct information is passed on Evaluating the assisting students

Strategy: Details Identifying candidates Setting up lines of authority Keeping things fair Making sure correct information is passed on Evaluating the assisting students

Strategy: Details Identifying candidates Setting up lines of authority Keeping things fair Making sure correct information is passed on Evaluating the assisting students

Evaluation What Worked? What didn’t Work? –Help in class –Deeper understanding –New TAs –Language / personality –Responsibility issues –TIME, TIME, TIME

Pros and Cons of Leaving the Box – can help meet learning goals –responsive –satisfying –time intensive –communication / co-ordination issues –prerequisite issues / fairness issues Pros: Cons:

Conclusion Would I do it again? What would I do differently? –Yes, but with more advanced prep. –Add a component to see if “peer-to-peer” learning works.