Understanding the TBL Divide: Examining the Similarities and Differences between Writing and Programming

1. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Understanding the TBL Divide: Examining the Similarities and Differences between Writing and Programming Keith Whittington Rochester Institute of Technology kjw@it.rit.edu

2. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. The Course - Applications Programming Upper UG level Part of a concentration in computer programming Learn to use several programming applications Meet twice a week for 2 hours Computers in the classroom

3. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Learning Goals Integrate all topics of the course into a stable, well tested, cohesive program Create a complex integrated program Efficiently work together in a team Share ideas and knowledge with other students Create a project that meets its stated goals Create a project that is useful

4. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Previous Way of Teaching Each class: PPT slides followed by a simple in-class exercise done individually Weekly programming assignments and take-home tests Basically a passive learning environment

5. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Motivation to Switch to TBL Personal success using cooperative learning activities in introductory courses Wanted to go further in upper level course TBL�s claim that it creates an environment where the team can outperform the ability of their best member deeply resonated with me

6. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Changes Made Threw away all existing materials Custom book Reading assignments RAP � one test per week In-class Activities Team Project Weekly in-class activity on project No exams External evaluation

7. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. First Day of Class Discussed TBL design Formed teams RAT on the Syllabus Grade Weighting Activity Convinced teams can outperform their best member Chose the maximum allowable percentages for the team portions of the grading

8. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Formative Evaluations Several surveys given throughout quarter Students evaluated each part of the course Adjusted based on feedback

9. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Custom Book No comprehensive book existed that covered every topic SafariU from O�Reilly First year Custom book with specific materials Students purchased ? expensive Second year � Online, 3 month student access ? cheaper

10. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Reading Assignments Initially, too detailed and long Promoted memorization Adjusted to more general readings Covered the language details in class

11. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. RAP Attempted 2 in one week Too much for students Tests initially too detailed Student frustration Eventually became 10 multi-choice questions Removed NOTs

12. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. In-class Activities Kept students switching between teamwork and individual work. Got them working together and helping each other while still coding on their own Steps whenever they had a question: Ask one team member for help Ask the team for help As a team, ask the instructor for help

13. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Team Project Integrate every application into one program Additional weekly in-class activities to make them work on various aspects of the project as a team Kept teams from dividing up all the work and programming independently on the project Program requirements, project design, and usability testing Conduct a poster session

14. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. External Evaluator Member of Industrial Advisory Board Attended the poster session Qualitative analysis of each project Part of the grade for their projects technical and design evaluated by instructor Students evaluated by potential employer

15. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Student Performance Non-TBL course 11 A�s, 3 B�s, 1 C, 0 D�s,1 F TBL course 12 A�s, 2 B�s, and 0 C�s, D�s, F�s Certainly not proof of increased learning, but encouraging

16. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Evaluator�s Impressions The teams seemed to genuinely have good chemistry Teams respected the idea of respective strengths and leveraging skills Teams competitive in a healthy good natured way I liked the enthusiasm of the teams, they were proud of their work and that is very healthy I think they invested a lot preparing for the presentations Even the story boards were good

17. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Overall Impression I saw nothing negative....and frankly am quite impressed by the level of teamwork demonstrated in the class...projects in the real world are built by work teams who learn to rely on one another...these guys demonstrated that in spades...if they walk out with a grasp of how teams need to be productive and interoperate then they will have learned a great deal more than simple programming...congratulations

18. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Students Evaluations Effectiveness at reaching the stated goals 84% - Working together as a team 92% - Self-Directed Learner 100% - Share ideas with members of team 84% - TBL method of learning 92% - Favorable experience with the team

19. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Typical Student Comments Good team work and communication The team was great My team was better than any other team in the history of teams not counting the 2004 Red Sox Good group of guys to work with, all wanted to succeed, everyone communicated well The team was a lot of fun and worked very well together Group was fun to work with and entertaining Really funny ambiance, nice guys, i really had some pleasure exchanging and talking with them

20. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. My Concerns Teams tended worked separately Did rely on teammates for help Integrated work Divide and conquer mentality One computer, multiple teammates

21. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Problems Predominately a writing discipline Show mastery in a new language every week

22. 2007 Team-Based Learning Conference - Vancouver, B.C. Activity Questions When writing in a new language How do you work together? How do you invoke intra-team discussions?