]> Input/Output Categorizing Grid Tammy VanDeGrift and Kate Deibel October 14, 2003 Categorizing Grid

This activity allows instructors to see if students understand if concepts are associated with input, with output, or with both.

Today we saw the basic input and output operations in C programming. Below is a list of concepts. Place each concept in the appropriate column: Input, Output, Both Input and Output.



Input Output Input AND Output








Problems
  1. computer keyboard
  2. computer mouse
  3. printing a document
  4. printf()
  5. computer disk
  6. scanf()
  7. "read" operation
  8. "write" operation
  9. computer monitor
  10. main memory
  11. control string
  12. initializing variables
  13. data into memory
  14. data from memory

The following are suggestions, but several of the items in this activity are meant to encourage discussion.

  1. INPUT: computer keyboard
  2. INPUT: computer mouse
  3. OUTPUT: printing a document
  4. OUTPUT: printf()
  5. BOTH: computer disk
  6. INPUT: scanf()
  7. INPUT: "read" operation
  8. OUTPUT: "write" operation
  9. OUTPUT: computer monitor
  10. BOTH: main memory
  11. INPUT: control string
  12. INPUT: initializing variables
  13. INPUT: data into memory
  14. OUTPUT: data from memory

Run through the grids and mark incorrect or missing entries. Identify the most common errors as well as any patterns that could explain student confusion. Reflect upon these errors and report them back to the class as you see fit.

For each concept, have students briefly give their reasoning. 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 lists, the instructor can ask for votes on each item. It is important to clear up any conflicting votes. Have students work individually on their lists and then form groups of 4-5 people to discuss their individual lists with other members of the group. Develop analytic skills Develop ability to draw reasonable inferences from observations Improve memory skills Develop appropriate study skills, strategies, and habits Learn terms and facts of this subject Learn concepts and theories of this subject I/O C Strings Display LOW LOW LOW LOW Lecture Next Day Summary Class Discussion Small Group Discussions Homework Has Been Enabled Streams Buffers Readers Writers Files