CAT: Structs vs Arrays CAT

Title: Structs vs Arrays CAT

Author: Tammy VanDeGrift and Kate Deibel

Date: December 03, 2003

Technique: Categorizing Grid

Before Class Preparation Time: LOW

Class Completion Time: LOW

In-Class Analysis Time: LOW

Out-Of-Class Analysis Time: LOW

Assessment Goals:

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

Topics:

Structs
Arrays
C
C++

Purpose:

This activity allows instructors to see if students understand appropriate uses of arrays and structs.

Activity:

This activity will give you the opportunity to decide on appropriate tools for a task. Place each item in the Scenarios box under the data structure that is best used for that situation.

ARRAY	STRUCT

Scenarios

Your answers to a True/False test with 10 questions.
Keeping track of rainfall data for a year
Creating a record for a person in your e-mail address book
Sorting high temperatures for the previous month
Finding the median score of your last 20 bowling scores
Keeping track of the current state of a crossword puzzle
Keeping track of a day's weather -- rainfall, high temperature, low temperature, average pressure, percent humidity
Storing a customer profile with their account number, current balance, expiration date of charge account
Keeping track of 2 players' positions on a 2-dimensional grid
A multiple-choice question with four answers to choose from
The nutritional content (protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, etc.) of a brand of breakfast cereal
The Red, Green, and Blue color components of a pixel

Solution:

ARRAY: Your answers to a True/False test with 10 questions.
ARRAY: Keeping track of rainfall data for a year
STRUCT: Creating a record for a person in your e-mail address book
ARRAY: Sorting high temperatures for the previous month
ARRAY: Finding the median score of your last 20 bowling scores
ARRAY: Keeping track of the current state of a crossword puzzle
STRUCT: Keeping track of a day's weather -- rainfall, high temperature, low temperature, average pressure, percent humidity
STRUCT: Storing a customer profile with their account number, current balance, expiration date of charge account
ARRAY: Keeping track of 2 players' positions on a 2-dimensional grid
ARRAY or STRUCT:A multiple-choice question with four answers to choose from
ARRAY or STRUCT:The nutritional content (protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, etc.) of a brand of breakfast cereal
ARRAY or STRUCT: The Red, Green, and Blue color components of a pixel

Instructor Responses:

Lecture
Next Day Summary
Class Discussion
Small Group Discussions
Homework

Response Analysis:

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.

Variant Uses of Activity:

After deciding on the appropriate data structure, have the students describe the contents of the data structure as it applies to each situation.
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 that the instructor explains why each data structure is appropriate for the task.
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.

Device-Enabled: Has Been Enabled

Related Topics:

Decomposition
Design
Functions
Classes
Variables