Overview IS 101Y/CMSC 101 Computational Thinking and Design Thursday, August 28, 2014 Carolyn Seaman Susan Martin University of Maryland, Baltimore County

What is Computing/IT?

Why Are You Considering IT?

Course Objectives After this course, students should be able to: Discuss the characteristics and challenges of key areas of the computing disciplines. Analyze and present data to support informed decision making. Write basic programs using variables, conditional logic, and loops. Demonstrate the skills necessary to succeed as a computing student and professional. Work effectively in a team to solve a complex technological challenge.

This Course Experimental course (funded by NSF) for freshmen computing majors Goals Survey breadth, nature, challenges, and potential of computing disciplines Clarify differences between computing majors at UMBC (BTA, IS, CMSC, CMPE) Build experience working productively in teams Develop key skills important to academic and professional success Assessment of impact and effectiveness Survey Focus group and end-of-semester interview Review of assignments

Consent Forms We need your consent to collect data that will help us evaluate the course Evaluating the course is different from evaluating your work in the course Signing the consent form says that: You understand that this class is part of a research study No one is forcing you to participate in the research part of the course You understand that the data we collect from you to evaluate the course is confidential

Course Staff Dr. Susan Martin Office hours: Tue and Thurs 3-4pm in ITE 452 Brandon Walsh (CS) OH: Mon 2:30-3:30pm, Wed 11am- 12pm Grace Chandler (CS) Tehreen Gondal (IS) Instructors Dr. Carolyn Seaman Office hours: Tues 11am-1pm, Thu 2:30-4pm in ITE 404B Teaching Fellows Amanda Mancuso (IS) Office hours: Mon 12:30-1:30, Wed 1-2pm Peer Mentors Josh Massey (CMPE) Logan Wroblewski (IS) NOTE: Teaching fellows hold office hours in ITE 470.

Computational Thinking Coined by Jeannette Wing, 2006 Computational thinking involves solving problems, designing systems, and understanding human behavior, by drawing on the concepts fundamental to computer science.

CT Principles Connecting computing: Understanding how computing connects people and helps us to solve meaningful problems Developing computational artifacts: Designing and implementing artifacts with a practical, personal, or societal intent Abstracting: Identifying a computational problem to be solved; representing data, information, and knowledge for computational use Analyzing problems and artifacts: Evaluating and justifying the quality of solutions; locating and correcting errors

CT Principles (cont.) Communicating: Explaining the purpose of an artifact and the meaning of a result in context, using accurate and precise language, notation, or visualizations Working effectively in teams: Effective teamwork and collaboration, producing artifacts that depend on active contributions from multiple participants

Computing Content Units Big Ideas Computational thinking Algorithmic problem solving Design and abstraction History and careers Data Data representations and data structures Big data and knowledge discovery Visualization Hardware and Systems Computer architectures and operating systems Networks Software systems People Requirements analysis Usability and accessibility Social and ethical implications Applications Graphics and games Intelligence Security

Academic and Professional Skills Working effectively As a student As a team member As a future professional Soft skills Oral presentation Technical communication Microsoft Office software Networking Study habits and time management Career planning

Nuts and Bolts Blackboard Announcements – new announcements sent out as Contact information Syllabus and schedule Lecture slides – available after each class [*study tip] Assigned readings other than the textbooks Assignments – both instructions and link to submit Discussion board – general forum for questions Schedule There may be changes – will always be kept up-to-date on Blackboard All assignments are due on the date indicated in the “Due” column Assignments are always due at or before the beginning of class, either electronically or in hardcopy, as specified in the assignment

Class Rules Laptops and tablets We will be using them frequently for in-class activities, so it’s ok to have them in class Use them ONLY to participate in class exercises Open them only when instructed to do so Do NOT use them to take notes – taking notes by hand is much more effective No other uses are appropriate Nothing on your screen should be distracting to the people around you How many of you have a laptop you can bring to class every day? No Cell Phones Please keep your phones turned off and put away. Please resist the temptation to check for texts during class. Do not take calls during class. NO Food or Drink allowed in the classroom The only exception is bottled water Thank you for keeping this class a distraction-free place for learning!

Readings/Videos Primary Textbook: “Computing for Ordinary Mortals” by Robert St. Amant Processing Reference: “Getting Started with Processing” by Casey Reas and Ben Fry Professional Development Textbook: “Making Your Mark” Online articles and videos Mix of general and technical Some will be challenging (strategy) All reading is to be completed before class on the day listed in syllabus Unannounced team and/or individual quizzes to assess preparation and readiness for further learning Followed by discussion of unclear concepts

Assignments 1. Professional development assignments Surveys, journal entries, cover letter, and resume 2. Processing assignments 3. Group peer evaluation 4. Quizzes 5. Team project 6. Midterm and final

Team Project Teams design, develop, demonstrate, evaluate, and present a system to simulate and explore the process of student progression -- the “semester game” Phases Design Prototype Demo Prototype Evaluation Poster Presentation Class time will be spent working through some parts of the project together

Experiences with Teams Who has had experiences with team/group projects? What was good about team projects? What was frustrating?

Why Teams? Working on highly functioning teams is fun Students learn more and perform better on teams Working on teams helps students develop a network that will be useful in later classes Working on teams is a key skill required for success in computing careers

How to Work on Teams? What might minimize negative aspects? Peer assessment Prevent loafing Think about your personal behavior Effective communication Keep an open mind Come prepared!!

Team Structure Initial teams (randomish) for first few weeks Permanent teams formed a few weeks into the semester Team members receive the same grade on team quizzes/assignments/projects, except under extraordinary circumstances Peer evaluation as part of final grade

Form Teams Sort yourselves by birthdate (month and day) Do any two students have the same birthdate? Did the answer surprise you? Count off into eight groups Call out 1, 2, 3,... 8, 1, 2, 3... along the line of students by birthdate Sit with your numbered team for the next activity

Meet with Team Introduce yourselves to each other! Arrange your tables and chairs – try different configurations Syllabus review exercise Pick a catchy team name! Make a team roster: Team name Members’ names Members’ addresses Turn in the team roster, and make a copy for each member!

Reminders You have assigned reading for tomorrow! Making Your Mark, Chapters 1 and 7 You have assigned reading for Tuesday (9/3)! St. Amant, Chapter 1; Computational Thinking (online link on Blackboard) NOTE: It is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY from now on to check the schedule page and complete the reading before class. Your first assignments are due next week! A link for the Assessment Survey will be sent to you by . If you do not get the link, you must ask about it! The link to the Student Background Questionnaire is posted on Blackboard under Assignments. JE1 – Involvement Fest – details in class tomorrow Processing Assignment #1, install and test – instructions on Blackboard under Assignments Start early (how about this weekend?!) on the upcoming assignments

See You Tomorrow