CS Circles: Learning Python in One Browser Window

CS Circles: LearningPython in a Browser Graeme Kemkes and David Pritchard Center for Education in Mathematics & Computing (CEMC), University of Waterloo

Computer Science Circles Overview• Website for learning programming• Mixed text, examples, exercises – Auto-grading of exercises – Feedback in-place (ajax) – Procedural generation• Math is a source of problems – In a good way – Geometry, arithmetic, primes

Goals Everyone can program / think algorithmicallyAid enrichment in high schoolsRobust self-learning for university students/adultsExperience should be:• fun, hassle-free• Engaging/interactive• Effective

An Empty NicheGreat existing services:• TopCoder & contests, for strong programmers• Khan Academy: videos, math exercisesNeed better services for beginners, ideally with• no software installation => happy admins• no back-and-forth between textbook and IDE• interactive engagement, exercises for mastery

Demo• 25 lessons, each w/ text and exercises – Examples, hints, diagrams• auto-grading (in a sandbox on our server) – 1 second time limit (not focusing on speed)• saves progress• “code scrambles:” drag lines to the right order• multiple choice, short answer• procedural generation of test cases

Under The Hood WordPress Lessons, Exercises in Markup Python SandboxWordpress Plugins (php, C) (javaScript, jQuery)

CS Circles: Do and Don’tCS Circles becomes much more powerful used in conjunction with an expert mentor/teacher• saves time grading, but can’t look at code and tell student when their code is badly written• we don’t try to check for plagiarism – in fact some exercises can be answered if the student carefully reads the .html source• person-on-person help is better for debugging

Future Directions• “I’m stuck!” button – sends an email to their teacher – includes the current code• Open-sourcing – smooth out the markup language• Teach JavaScript• Easier, harder versions; additional exercises

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CS Circles: Learning Python in One Browser Window

by daveagp on Jan 08, 2012

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CS Circles: Learning Python in One Browser Window — Presentation Transcript