Assessment Tool

Lecture 18: Structures

Content Tested: Arrays Vs. Structures (basic notions)

Lecture Content:

Data structures
Heterogeneous structures
Type definitions
Field selection
Structs as parameters

Goals:

Improve memory skills
Learn terms and facts of this subject
Learn concepts and theories of this subject

Assessment Technique: Memory Matrix

Purpose:

To allow instructors to find out if students understand the similarities and differences between an array and a struct as data structures.

Activity:

Fill out the following matrix. This matrix lists some conjectures and it's your job to decide if these hold under two conditions. The first condition is the case of an array and the second condition is the case of a structure. Please write "yes" or "no" in the blank cells of the table.

Conjecture	Array	Struct
Holds multiple pieces of data
Data must be of the same type
Can compare to another of same type using ==
Can be copied by using =
Always passed as a parameter as call by reference
Allow programmers to build new types
Can print all contents with a single printf statement
Field access operator is .

After students complete their tables, have them compare their answers with their peers. Make sure that you go over the correct answers and explain any confusion about the terms.

Solution:

Conjecture	Array	Struct
Holds multiple pieces of data	yes	yes
Data must be of the same type	yes	no
Can compare to another of same type using ==	no	no
Can be copied by using =	no	yes
Always passed as a parameter as call by reference	yes	no
Allow programmers to build new types	no	yes
Can print all contents with a single printf statement	no	no
Field access operator is .	no	yes

Possible Uses of Activity:

Let the students work on completing the table in a small group or as a class.
Encourage students to share their answers with the rest of the class and discuss why each answer is correct or incorrect.