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I know where to find the percentage of CS bachelor's degrees going to women in the US (Figure 2-16) and the percentage of CS bachelor's degrees going to people of different ethnicities at research universities in the US and Canada participating in the Taulbee Survey (Table B-3). Where, if anywhere, can I find the perce...	To find the percentage of bachelor's degrees in Computer Science (CS) broken down by both ethnicity and gender, you can explore several resources: 1. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES): The NCES provides detailed reports on degrees conferred by various fields of study, which can often be broken down b...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "I know where to find the percentage of CS bachelor's degrees going to women in the US (Figure 2-16) and the percentage of CS bachelor's degrees going to people of different ethnicities at research universities in the US and Canada participating in the Taulbee Survey (Table B-3)....
I was talking to a student today, and explaining that NP problems are hard to solve, but easy to verify. I used password encryption/decryption as an example, but he got stuck. He was unable to fathom how, given the hash, you couldn't just reverse your steps backwards to the password. I started explaining a bit about ...	Explaining NP problems in an intuitive way can indeed be tricky, especially if you're dealing with concepts like encryption or hashing that can confuse the issue. A more relatable analogy is to think of NP problems in terms of puzzles or games, where you can easily check a solution but finding that solution is hard. He...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "I was talking to a student today, and explaining that NP problems are hard to solve, but easy to verify. I used password encryption/decryption as an example, but he got stuck. He was unable to fathom how, given the hash, you couldn't just reverse your steps backwards to the pa...
Can anyone recommend a good textbook for writing interpreters (not compilers) that don't use languages like Scheme or Haskell?	Certainly! If you're looking for textbooks on writing interpreters without focusing on languages like Scheme or Haskell, consider the following options: 1. "Programming Languages: Application and Interpretation" by Shriram Krishnamurthi - While it does cover some concepts from Scheme, it is largely focused on the ...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "Can anyone recommend a good textbook for writing interpreters (not compilers) that don't use languages like Scheme or Haskell? \n" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Certainly! If you're looking for textbooks on writing interpreters without focusing on languages like Sche...
When I had grant money or worked in industry, I was a member of the Association for Computing Machine (ACM) and the Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE), which holds several annual conferences and publishes ACM Inroads. Now that I'm no longer publishing in CS education, am focused on teaching, ...	Deciding whether to maintain membership in SIGCSE and ACM when your focus has shifted can depend on several factors: 1. Access to Resources: Membership often provides access to valuable resources, including journals, conference proceedings, and publications like ACM Inroads. If you find that these resources are us...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "When I had grant money or worked in industry, I was a member of the Association for Computing Machine (ACM) and the Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education (SIGCSE), which holds several annual conferences and publishes ACM Inroads. Now that I'm no longer publishing ...
In some CS courses (especially undergraduate and high school courses) the tests and the final exam are written on paper without the use of a computer. But if the students are in a CS course, shouldn't they be allowed to use the computer? If some mistakes are difficult enough to not be noticeable while writing code on a...	There are several arguments for and against conducting written tests on paper in computer science courses, and whether this approach is beneficial depends on the goals of the course and the skills being assessed. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of using paper-based exams in CS courses: ### Advantages of Pap...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "In some CS courses (especially undergraduate and high school courses) the tests and the final exam are written on paper without the use of a computer.\nBut if the students are in a CS course, shouldn't they be allowed to use the computer? If some mistakes are difficult enough to...
I teach my freshmen Binary because I'm old school I guess. I do want them to know how data is stored and that means Binary to me. How do others feel? Is it a must learn early or a nice to have if there is room?	Teaching binary to freshmen is a great approach, and there are mixed opinions about its necessity in early education. Here are some perspectives on the topic: ### Arguments for Teaching Binary Early: 1. Fundamental Concept: Understanding binary is foundational for grasping how computers work. It helps students und...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "I teach my freshmen Binary because I'm old school I guess. I do want them to know how data is stored and that means Binary to me. How do others feel? Is it a must learn early or a nice to have if there is room?\n" }, { "from": "gpt", "value": "Teaching binary to fres...
I'm working at the university in a computer lab and I'm looking for a Microsoft Windows software, that would enable me to cast a screen of my computer (master) to all other student's computers which are in the same local network. I have already found several different solutions, but none of them enables me to force the...	Yes, there are several software solutions that can facilitate screen sharing or casting in a controlled environment, such as a university computer lab. Here are a few options to consider, though they may not all offer the exact level of control you are looking for regarding preventing students from closing the applicat...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "I'm working at the university in a computer lab and I'm looking for a Microsoft Windows software, that would enable me to cast a screen of my computer (master) to all other student's computers which are in the same local network.\nI have already found several different solutions...
I found the following example in chapter two of Annotated Algorithms in Python (PDF) >>> for i in [1, 2, 3]: ... print i ... continue ... print 'test' 1 2 3 This does demonstrate what continue does, but you would never write something like this in real code. You would just leave out continue and print "test" entirely....	Using contrived examples in teaching can be both beneficial and potentially confusing, depending on how they are presented and the context in which they are used. ### Benefits of Contrived Examples: 1. Focus on Concept: They can effectively isolate a particular concept (like `continue` in your first example) and m...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "I found the following example in chapter two of Annotated Algorithms in Python (PDF)\n>>> for i in [1, 2, 3]:\n... print i\n... continue\n... print 'test'\n1\n2\n3\n\nThis does demonstrate what continue does, but you would never write something like this in real code. You would ...
In university, I was a student in an operating systems programming course in C. Assignment help was offered in tutorials. Students would usually present the tutor(s) with run-time errors and an enormous amount of code. The tutors took 20 minutes to figure out the mess and offer help. In a 50 minute class of 30, most st...	The situation you've described highlights several challenges in teaching programming, particularly in a course that requires understanding complex systems like operating systems. Here are some strategies that teaching staff could implement to address these issues: 1. Structured Debugging Sessions: Instead of open-...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "In university, I was a student in an operating systems programming course in C. Assignment help was offered in tutorials. Students would usually present the tutor(s) with run-time errors and an enormous amount of code. The tutors took 20 minutes to figure out the mess and offer ...
In this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5NszbIerYc Dr. David Brailsford uses an elegant Lego model to explain pointers and linked lists. Do you think that using physical models could make it easier for students to learn about fundamental concepts? Has anyone had any success with this?	Yes, using physical models can significantly enhance students' understanding of fundamental concepts in computer science, such as pointers and linked lists. Physical representations can make abstract concepts more tangible, allowing students to visualize how data structures work in practice. There have been several su...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "In this video, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5NszbIerYc Dr. David Brailsford uses an elegant Lego model to explain pointers and linked lists. \nDo you think that using physical models could make it easier for students to learn about fundamental concepts? Has anyone had any su...
When I was studying, my professors had different approaches when teaching programming to beginners: Choose a language with which the professor is comfortable and fulfills the course requirements but might not be so popular in the real world. I had this experience with Mathematica programming. We would spend lots of ti...	The preferences of professionals and students when it comes to teaching and learning algorithms and basic programming can vary significantly based on several factors, including prior experience, educational goals, and career aspirations. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of each approach, as well as what many pro...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "When I was studying, my professors had different approaches when teaching programming to beginners:\n\nChoose a language with which the professor is comfortable and fulfills the course requirements but might not be so popular in the real world. I had this experience with Mathema...
What would be a good way to describe ports? I learned about it using this analogy, but it seems pretty inadequate to me: IP addresses are like street addresses of apartment buildings, and ports are like the apartments therein. IP addresses are not segmented as a street address is, and second, apartments don't seem at ...	Your analogy of IP addresses as street addresses and ports as apartments is a good starting point, but I understand your desire for a more nuanced comparison. Here’s a refined way to describe ports that might resonate better: ### Improved Analogy IP Addresses as City Districts, and Ports as Specific Businesses: ...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "What would be a good way to describe ports? I learned about it using this analogy, but it seems pretty inadequate to me:\nIP addresses are like street addresses of apartment buildings, and ports are like the apartments therein.\nIP addresses are not segmented as a street addres...
So, in C-style languages, the for loop has a funny little syntax: for (int i = 0; i < 100; i++) { // do something } If we order these sections in a natural, intuitive fashion, we would get something like: for (1; 2; 3) { 4 } ... which is how students seem to feel like things should be ordered. But, of course...	Teaching students to understand for loops, especially in C-style languages, can indeed be challenging due to the seemingly inverted nature of the syntax. Here are some tricks and techniques that can help clarify the concept: 1. Visual Diagrams: - Use flowcharts or diagrams that show the execution flow of a for ...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "So, in C-style languages, the for loop has a funny little syntax:\nfor (int i = 0; i < 100; i++) {\n // do something\n}\n\nIf we order these sections in a natural, intuitive fashion, we would get something like:\nfor (1; 2; 3) {\n 4\n}\n\n... which is how students seem to ...
I am in the process of developing a new course focused entirely on Raspberry Pi. The goal is to make it a summer-school elective equivalent to one semester (i.e. one class meeting over the summer == one week of class during the school year). The course is in its beginning stages, but my goal is to essentially make a "t...	It's great to see your enthusiasm for creating a hands-on, project-based course using Raspberry Pi! The order of Units 2-4 can significantly influence the students' learning experience. Here's a breakdown of the considerations for sequencing these units: ### Proposed Order: 1. Unit 2: Programming in Python 2. **U...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "I am in the process of developing a new course focused entirely on Raspberry Pi. The goal is to make it a summer-school elective equivalent to one semester (i.e. one class meeting over the summer == one week of class during the school year). The course is in its beginning stages...
One unit of CS50 AP's curriculum focuses on three main sorting algorithms: bubble sort, selection sort, and insertion sort. There is also discussion of something more efficient like merge sort. One programming assignment has students write the code in C to each of the three "simpler" sorting algorithms. Students get cl...	The debate between teaching students to implement algorithms from scratch versus having them apply pre-defined algorithms is a common discussion in computer science education. Each approach has its own benefits and drawbacks, and the effectiveness can depend on various factors such as the students' background, the educ...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "One unit of CS50 AP's curriculum focuses on three main sorting algorithms: bubble sort, selection sort, and insertion sort. There is also discussion of something more efficient like merge sort. One programming assignment has students write the code in C to each of the three \"si...
I just saw this question about SIGCSE for college professors, and it made me curious about whether it is a good organization for high school teachers. I am currently a member of my local CSTA, which I find to be of some value. Are there additional benefits from SIGCSE that could help me in my classroom practice? (Not...	SIGCSE (Special Interest Group on Computer Science Education) primarily focuses on computer science education at the college level, but it does have resources and opportunities that can be beneficial for high school teachers as well. Here are some potential benefits you might find useful: 1. **Access to Research and B...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "I just saw this question about SIGCSE for college professors, and it made me curious about whether it is a good organization for high school teachers. I am currently a member of my local CSTA, which I find to be of some value. Are there additional benefits from SIGCSE that cou...
I am a college teacher developing an introduction to digital logic for grades 8-12. This is a special topic that will be presented in three 50-minute periods with in-class exercises. It won't go beyond basic combinational logic. Provisionally, module 1 starts with gates and truth tables and ends with a half-adder; m...	Explaining the importance of digital logic to eighth-graders can be both engaging and enlightening if framed in a context they can relate to. Here's a concise and memorable paragraph you might consider: --- "Understanding digital logic is like learning the secret language of technology. Everything you see and use tod...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "I am a college teacher developing an introduction to digital logic for grades 8-12. This is a special topic that will be presented in three 50-minute periods with in-class exercises. It won't go beyond basic combinational logic. Provisionally, module 1 starts with gates and t...
The notion of "Study Guide" was unknown to me before moving to the US (I don't think I was ever given one during my studies in France). I believe that the goal of a study guide is three-fold: To list all the topic that will be on the exam, To provide some hints to the students as to how to revise, To help them deal wi...	Your reflections on the purpose and utility of study guides are insightful and highlight valid concerns about their necessity, especially in a college setting where students are expected to take more responsibility for their learning. However, there are several aspects to consider that might underscore the importance o...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "The notion of \"Study Guide\" was unknown to me before moving to the US (I don't think I was ever given one during my studies in France).\nI believe that the goal of a study guide is three-fold:\n\nTo list all the topic that will be on the exam,\nTo provide some hints to the stu...
Is asking students to debug code better than asking them to write code, if the goal is to give students a strong basis in creating error-free code? In my point of view, when we ask them to write a program by giving some scenario, they will write some code. Most probably, this code will contain errors. Then they will c...	Your question raises an important point about teaching programming effectively. Both writing code and debugging are essential skills in software development, and each has its own benefits and learning outcomes. Here's a more detailed breakdown of the advantages of both approaches and a suggestion for an effective teach...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "Is asking students to debug code better than asking them to write code, if the goal is to give students a strong basis in creating error-free code?\nIn my point of view, when we ask them to write a program by giving some scenario, they will write some code. Most probably, this ...
During the summer I am teaching a programming workshop for students in a high school computer science major. The purpose of the workshop is to introduce them to image processing, and to have them experience using it. Naturally, an image processing library is necessary (teaching in java, so probably JavaCV, though I mig...	Introducing high school students to image processing can be a highly rewarding experience, especially if they are already familiar with advanced mathematics. Here’s a framework for approaching the integration of mathematics with image processing in your workshop: ### 1. Assess Student Readiness Before diving into the ...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "During the summer I am teaching a programming workshop for students in a high school computer science major. The purpose of the workshop is to introduce them to image processing, and to have them experience using it.\nNaturally, an image processing library is necessary (teaching...
Every year, I teach my students about using induction to prove that algorithms function as intended. My purpose, in instructing them, is to help them master the structure of the proof itself. I use simple algorithms for which we can do fairly easy inductive proofs. Here are a few examples: Prove that arraySum will c...	There are several resources available online and in print that focus on induction proofs and provide practice problems, some of which include solutions. Here are a few suggestions that might fit your needs: 1. Textbooks on Discrete Mathematics and Algorithms: - Many textbooks on discrete mathematics and algorit...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "Every year, I teach my students about using induction to prove that algorithms function as intended. My purpose, in instructing them, is to help them master the structure of the proof itself. I use simple algorithms for which we can do fairly easy inductive proofs. Here are a...
When mentioning operator precedence for AND / OR, I explained it wrongly. I re-explained it properly using the idea of binding: the operator "binds tightly" to the two expressions immediately on either side. My incorrect explanation was based on me thinking of a complex expression as a tree, with AND as the root. For e...	Understanding operator precedence can indeed be tricky, especially in the context of different programming languages and their unique rules. Here are some suggestions for clarifying the concept of precedence without causing ambiguity, along with alternatives to the term "binds tightly": 1. Use Clear Terminology: I...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "When mentioning operator precedence for AND / OR, I explained it wrongly. I re-explained it properly using the idea of binding: the operator \"binds tightly\" to the two expressions immediately on either side.\nMy incorrect explanation was based on me thinking of a complex expre...
Bit of history: The Darmouth Basic Manual (1964) follows a common order of exposition: expressions, variables, constants, assignment, tests/loops; calling subprograms being considered an "advanced topic" (well, the last thing, after using tables). This reminds me of the first version of Fortran, (see preliminary report...	The teaching of programming in the 1960s and 1970s often followed a somewhat procedural and linear approach, which reflected the design philosophy of early programming languages like Fortran and its successors. The focus was primarily on the mechanics of coding — such as expressions, variables, constants, and control s...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "Bit of history: The Darmouth Basic Manual (1964) follows a common order of exposition: expressions, variables, constants, assignment, tests/loops; calling subprograms being considered an \"advanced topic\" (well, the last thing, after using tables).\nThis reminds me of the first...
What would be a good way to describe ports? I learned about it using this analogy, but it seems pretty inadequate to me: IP addresses are like street addresses of apartment buildings, and ports are like the apartments therein. IP addresses are not segmented as a street address is, and second, apartments don't seem at ...	Your analogy is a good starting point, but it's understandable that it may not fully capture the nature of ports. Here's an alternative way to describe ports that might resonate better: Think of an IP address as the entire business complex, where many different companies (services or applications) operate. The...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "What would be a good way to describe ports? I learned about it using this analogy, but it seems pretty inadequate to me:\nIP addresses are like street addresses of apartment buildings, and ports are like the apartments therein.\nIP addresses are not segmented as a street addres...
I understand the advantages of test-driven development, but should unit testing be taught/used in CS1 (the introductory class) for computer science students learning? I am aware of researchers saying that "YES" it can and should be taught, but in the "real world", is anyone using it in their CS1 classes? Do the student...	The question of whether unit testing should be taught in CS1 is quite nuanced and can depend on various factors, including the curriculum goals, the programming languages being taught, and the overall educational philosophy of the institution. ### Advantages of Teaching Unit Testing in CS1 1. **Conceptual Understandi...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "I understand the advantages of test-driven development, but should unit testing be taught/used in CS1 (the introductory class) for computer science students learning?\nI am aware of researchers saying that \"YES\" it can and should be taught, but in the \"real world\", is anyone...
I was talking to a student today, and explaining that NP problems are hard to solve, but easy to verify. I used password encryption/decryption as an example, but he got stuck. He was unable to fathom how, given the hash, you couldn't just reverse your steps backwards to the password. I started explaining a bit about ...	Explaining NP problems in an intuitive way can be challenging, but analogies can help make the concept clearer. Here are a couple of analogies that you might find useful: ### 1. Jigsaw Puzzle Analogy Imagine you have a jigsaw puzzle with a completed image. Finding the right pieces and putting them together to form...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "I was talking to a student today, and explaining that NP problems are hard to solve, but easy to verify. I used password encryption/decryption as an example, but he got stuck. He was unable to fathom how, given the hash, you couldn't just reverse your steps backwards to the pa...
We have two entry points for programming students here: one is web-oriented and features HTML5/CSS3/ECMA6, and the other is in a robotics environment using LabView. Both classes address the "big 5": variables, objects, functions, conditional logic, and iteration. We are thinking about a new entry point for a new aud...	Processing is an excellent choice for an introductory programming course, particularly because of its visual and interactive nature. Here are several features of the Processing language that lend themselves well to teaching programming concepts to beginners: 1. Visual Feedback: Processing is designed for visual ar...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "We have two entry points for programming students here: one is web-oriented and features HTML5/CSS3/ECMA6, and the other is in a robotics environment using LabView. Both classes address the \"big 5\": variables, objects, functions, conditional logic, and iteration. \nWe are th...
How do you handle it when you make a mistake while teaching? I used to get confused, stammer, blush, etc. But now I just pause and notice that something is incorrect, then correct it if I can figure it out, or say that I will get back to it. In one of my questions on this site, I said that I taught something wrongly an...	It's great to hear how you've developed a more constructive and reflective approach to handling mistakes while teaching. Acknowledging errors and creating a learning environment that values understanding over perfection can be incredibly beneficial for both you and your students. Here are some strategies that might hel...	[ { "from": "human", "value": "How do you handle it when you make a mistake while teaching? I used to get confused, stammer, blush, etc. But now I just pause and notice that something is incorrect, then correct it if I can figure it out, or say that I will get back to it.\nIn one of my questions on this site,...