UMBC CMSC 691p Spring 2009
Teaching Computer Science I in Python

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UMBC's CS program is planning a major redesign of CMSC 201, the introductory programming course for majors. In this special topics course, students will have the opportunity to learn first-hand what is involved in designing and teaching a new class.

As a group, we will review textbooks, survey the research literature on teaching programming courses, design a syllabus, learn the Python programming language, develop programming projects, and write exam questions. The course will also include "mock teaching sections," in which each student will have the opportunity to present a lecture segment to the rest of the class. We will discuss effective teaching strategies and related issues, such as TA management, handling "problem students," and methods for minimizing and responding to academic dishonesty.

The course will be team-taught by Tim Finin and Marie desJardins, with guest lectures and commentary by other CS instructors.

This special topics course is available to graduate students and to advanced undergraduates with permission of the instructor.