Assessment Tool
Lecture 1: Overview
Content Tested: Computers and Software
Lecture Content:
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Computers and Software
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Programs, Languages, and Problem Solving
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Resources
Goals:
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Develop ability to apply principles and generalizations already learned
to new problems and situations
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Improve writing skills
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Learn concepts and theories of this subject
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Develop management skills
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Develop ability to perform skillfully
Assessment Technique: Directed Paraphrasing
Purpose:
This activity allows instructors to see how well students can communicate
technical ideas to non-technical people. The ability to converse
with non-technical people is important in the field of programming.
Activity:
Suppose you have a 10-year-old sister. Explain to her (in a short
paragraph) what a computer is.
After your explanation, your sister asks you to explain the idea of
software. Explain to her (in another short paragraph) the idea of
computer software.
Possible Uses of Activity:
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Have students work in groups to complete this activity. The instructor
may want to circulate throughout the groups to ensure that each group is
making progress. After the groups have completed their explanations,
have each group share their explanations to the rest of the class.
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Have students work on the explanations individually and then form groups
to share their explanations with other members of the class.