Group Projects Across the Curriculum Karen Anewalt, John Beidler, Jennifer Polack-Wahl, and Debra Smarkusky

Teams at the Freshman/Sophomore Level Jack Beidler University of Scranton

Teams and the Freshman/Sophomore Level Cons: –There isn’t enough time –Students will cheat –Some students will let the rest of the team do it Pros: –Software development requires teamwork –What’s more important? Knowledge and experience Or grading students

Teams and the Freshman/Sophomore Level My approach: –A variation of think-pair-share. –Think: By yourself, bring something to the table –Pair: With one other person, exchange of points of view, come to an agreement –Share: Three, four, or more, repeating the last process but with a larger group

Sample Think, Pair, Share Exercise Answers to the following questions? 1.How long does it take for the earth to rotate 360 o on its axis? 2.How many times does the earth rotate on its axis in a year?

Sample Think, Pair, Share Exercise Think –Did you really understand the problem? –What is the first thing that comes to your mind? –Common knowledge may be dangerous or misleading. –Can you cite a reference? –Arrive at a conclusion –Be prepared to change your mind

Sample Think, Pair, Share Exercise Pair –Talk –Listen –Discuss –Form joint opinion Are you better off (validation, confidence)

Sample Think, Pair, Share Exercise Share –Talk –Listen –Discuss –Form joint opinion Do you feel closer to a valid approach? Has your confidence grown?

Sample Think, Pair, Share Exercise Common knowledge is not always correct. Don’t misinterpret the question to arrive at a quick convenient answer. This ain’t quoits (almost right is very wrong) Did you learn about the importance of group interaction –Everyone must bring something to the table. –Everyone must participate.

Sample Think, Pair, Share Exercise Answers to the following questions? 1.How long does it take for the earth to rotate 360 o on its axis? Sidereal time (23hrs. 56+ min.) 2. How many times does the earth rotate on its axis in a year? Approximately

Team Projects Prefer teams of two or three Two/three week time frame Software/doc/test Require personal documentation 10 to 15 minute presentations

Freshman (CS 2) One or two think-pair-shares –First: Completely in class –Second: Think part is an assignment Pair/Share done in class One team project –At the 2/3 mark –Focused on a type extension project –Test plan

Sophomore (DS&A) Two team projects –At about 4 week and just after the mid-term break –First: Linear structure elaboration –Second: Various (Non linear/thread) 2-3 trees Red-black trees Threads …

Observations Try it, they’ll surprise you.