A case of computer science principles with traditional text-based programming languages
Kelvin Sung, Lawrence Snyder · Journal of computing sciences in colleges · 2014
This paper presents the experience from University of Washington Bothell (UWB) at adapting the traditional programming based Computer Science Principles (CSP) course from the University of Washington Seattle (UWS). (In this paper text-based programming paradigm is used to refer to the traditional method of developing programs by entering text in a text editor, e.g., programming with Java or C#. This is in contrast to the visual-based programming paradigm of synthesizing programming solutions via manipulating predefined icons in specialized environments, e.g., programming with Alice, or Scratch.) We replaced the programming language from the graphical-themed in Processing to a game-themed in C# to demonstrate the general viability of CSP implementation based on a programming paradigm. During our course offering, student learning and engagement are closely monitored by independent consultants with weekly classroom visits and surveys. The outstanding programming projects, overwhelmingly positive feedback from our students, and the significant percentage that decide to enroll in subsequent CS1 class verify that this programming based curriculum is indeed compatible with the primary goal of CSP in establishing a broad-based appeal to attract wide and diverse participation in CS. It is important to note that our study is not aimed at comparing visual- vs. programming paradigms. Rather, we are interested in verifying that a programming is indeed compatible with the CSP goal of reaching young college students with the ambitious content.