CS2013-final-report

documentation activity that occurs after labs have concluded. The course is 3 credit hours and typically meets twice
a week for 75 minutes.
How are students assessed
Students are assessed using a combination of programming projects, in-lab assignments, problem sets, and exams.
Each of the learning activities is accompanied by writing assignment that relates to the programming assignment.
For instance, one assignment requires students to write test cases for a data structure. The test case descriptions
indicate the setup and tear down of the tests as well as the expected outcomes of the test.
Course textbooks and materials
All lecture materials are provided as videos on YouTube:
Data Structures: http://www.youtube.com/playlistlist=PLE827E1949733EACC
C++: http://www.youtube.com/playlistlist=PL318424B457A98D69
Textbooks are provided online via Safari Tech Books online and vary by instructor.
Why do you teach the course this way
Communication in this course is taught as an integrated part of the technical content. In particular, communication
is taught in the context of the workplace scenarios that emphasize situated learning. As such, rather than teaching
communication as a wholly separate topic, it is taught as a part of the core computer science topics. The course has
incorporated communication outcomes in a couple of occasions since 2010. The course is considered challenging
by the students for a number of reasons, primarily technical.
Body of Knowledge coverage
KA Knowledge Unit Topics Covered Hours
SP
Professional
Communication
• Reading, understanding and summarizing technical material,
including source code and documentation
• Writing effective technical documentation and materials
1
SDF Fundamental Data
Structures
All 12
AL Basic Analysis All in Core-Tier 1 2
The communication topics not covered in this course are covered elsewhere in the curriculum.
Additional topics
None.
Other comments
This exemplar demonstrates the results of an NSF-funded collaborative project between Miami University and
North Carolina State University (NSF CPATH-II Awards CCF-0939122 and CCF-0939081). The project
emphasizes integration of communication outcomes across the entire curriculum. Details on the project can be
found at the following dissemination website: http://cs-comm.lib.muohio.edu/.
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