Abstract:
Contribution: A first-year programming course was redesigned with a large, open-ended robotics project. The course design aligns with best practices for promoting develop...Show MoreMetadata
Abstract:
Contribution: A first-year programming course was redesigned with a large, open-ended robotics project. The course design aligns with best practices for promoting development of students' self-efficacy in solving ill-structured software design problems. Background: From Jonassen's theory, problem-solving outcomes are dependent on the problem structure, complexity, and representation; and the characteristics of the solver. These characteristics are diverse, including knowledge, familiarity, and psychometric qualities of the solver (e.g., self-efficacy and motivation). Thus, better problem-solving outcomes are dependent on the development of these traits, and on the problem characteristics. Intended Outcomes: Pre-2010, course learning activities and assessments overly focused on syntax. The course was redesigned with a focus on ill-structured problem solving and design in high-fidelity problem domains. Application Design: Complex and ill-structured lecture examples, assignments, and exams were redesigned to reinforce the importance of software design and problem solving. An open-ended cornerstone project using robotics was added as a structured means of providing students practice with solving ill-structured and open-ended problems. The assignment and exam questions, with the course cornerstone project, achieve instructional alignment in the course. Findings: The results show that students' self-efficacy improved from start to end of term. The course design achieves several objectives: 1) students learned the requisite programming skills; 2) students developed their self-efficacy in programming and design; and 3) students demonstrated strong problem-solving outcomes.
Published in: IEEE Transactions on Education ( Volume: 63, Issue: 2, May 2020)
Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
Carol C. W. Hulls (Member, IEEE) received the B.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
She is a Continuing Lecturer with the Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering Department, University of Waterloo, where she has been teaching courses in programming and digital logic since 1999. Always looking to improve classroom learning, she has t...Show More
Carol C. W. Hulls (Member, IEEE) received the B.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
She is a Continuing Lecturer with the Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering Department, University of Waterloo, where she has been teaching courses in programming and digital logic since 1999. Always looking to improve classroom learning, she has t...View more
Engineering Ideas Clinic, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
Christopher Rennick (Member, IEEE) received the B.A.Sc. and M.A.Sc. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in management sciences with the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
He is studying students’ problem-solving skill development, and is the Engineering Educational Developer with the Engineering Ideas Clinic, University ...Show More
Christopher Rennick (Member, IEEE) received the B.A.Sc. and M.A.Sc. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in management sciences with the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
He is studying students’ problem-solving skill development, and is the Engineering Educational Developer with the Engineering Ideas Clinic, University ...View more
Contents Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
Carol C. W. Hulls (Member, IEEE) received the B.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
She is a Continuing Lecturer with the Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering Department, University of Waterloo, where she has been teaching courses in programming and digital logic since 1999. Always looking to improve classroom learning, she has tried a variety of innovative techniques.
Dr. Hulls received the Brightspace Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning in 2016. She is a Professional Engineer.
Carol C. W. Hulls (Member, IEEE) received the B.A.Sc., M.A.Sc., and Ph.D. degrees in electrical and computer engineering from the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
She is a Continuing Lecturer with the Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering Department, University of Waterloo, where she has been teaching courses in programming and digital logic since 1999. Always looking to improve classroom learning, she has tried a variety of innovative techniques.
Dr. Hulls received the Brightspace Innovation Award in Teaching and Learning in 2016. She is a Professional Engineer.View more
Engineering Ideas Clinic, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Canada
Christopher Rennick (Member, IEEE) received the B.A.Sc. and M.A.Sc. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in management sciences with the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
He is studying students’ problem-solving skill development, and is the Engineering Educational Developer with the Engineering Ideas Clinic, University of Waterloo, where he designs and implements real-world, hands-on design activities for undergraduate engineering students.
Christopher Rennick (Member, IEEE) received the B.A.Sc. and M.A.Sc. degrees in electrical engineering from the University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in management sciences with the University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
He is studying students’ problem-solving skill development, and is the Engineering Educational Developer with the Engineering Ideas Clinic, University of Waterloo, where he designs and implements real-world, hands-on design activities for undergraduate engineering students.View more
