You're designing a programming course for business students. Most of them have never taken a programming course before.
(set: $score to 0)
Choose a focus for the course.
[[Transaction processing]]
[[Data analysis]]You're making the course about transaction processing.
(set: $focus to "transaction processing")
What programming language will you use?
[[C#]]
[[Java]]
[[Python]]You're making the course about data analysis.
(set: $focus to "data analysis")
(set: $score to $score + 3)
What programming language will you use?
[[Python]]
[[Excel VBA]]You've chosen C#.
(set: $language to "C#")
(set: $score to $score + 1)
(display: "Coverage")You've chosen Java.
(set: $language to "Java")
(display: "Coverage")You've chosen Python.
(set: $language to "Python")
(set: $score to $score + 2)
(display: "Coverage")You've chosen Excel VBA.
(set: $language to "Excel VBA")
(set: $score to $score + 3)
(display: "Coverage")You'll cover the basics of $language, about 20% of the language syntax.
(set: $coverage to "basic")
(set: $score to $score + 3)
(display: "Organization")You'll cover a moderate amount of %language, about 40% of the language syntax.
(set: $coverage to "moderate")
(set: $score to $score + 2)
(display: "Organization")You'll cover a broad amount of %language, about 60% of the language syntax
(set: $coverage to "broad")
(set: $score to $score + 1)
(display: "Organization")You teach the course using a lecture format, with code samples.
(set: $score to $score + 1)
(set: $organization to "lecture")
[[Course results]]Here's what happened as a result of your course.
Your focus was on $focus. \
(if: $focus is "transaction processing")[Few business grads write transaction processing code, so only a few of your students were able to apply what they learned directly.]\
(if: $focus is "data analysis")[Business grads are asked to analyze data quite often, so students were able to use what they learned.]\
You chose $language. \
(if: $language is "Java" or $language is "C#")[It took some time for students to learn enough to get anything done in that language. That took time away from learning how to solve problems.]\
(if: $language is "Python")[It took time for students to set up their Python programming environment, though not too much. Students were able to get to work fairly quickly. Still, syntax subtleties and problems with libraries cost students time.]\
(if: $language is "Excel VBA")[Students already knew Excel, and had it installed on their computers. They got started immediately. The simple syntax caused few issues during the semester.]\
(if: $coverage is "basic")[You covered only the most important 20% of the language. Students had time to practice problem solving.]\
(if: $coverage is "moderate")[You covered about 40% of the language. Students had some time to practice problem solving, but not enough to build competence.]\
(if: $coverage is "broad")[You covered about 80% of the language. Students had little time to practice problem solving.]\
(if: $organization is "lecture")[You chose to lecture. Students had little time in class to practice, or ask questions. They did not learn how programmers think.]\
(if: $organization is "lecture and demo")[You chose the lecture-and-demo. Students had little time in class to practice. They got some insight into how programmers think by watching your demonstrations. However, your expertise caused you to skip basic steps without noticing. Students who tried to mimic your thinking were often unsuccessful.]\
(if: $organization is "flipped")[You chose to flip your class. Students practiced coding in class. They asked questions, of you, and of other students.]\
Score: $score out of 12.How much of $language will you cover?
[[Basic coverage, about 20% of the language syntax]]
[[Moderate coverage, about 40% of the language syntax]]
[[Broad coverage, about 60% of the language syntax]]How will you organize the course? You have three choices.
Lecture: you lecture most of the time, showing code samples.
Lecture and demonstration: you split your time evenly between lecture, and showing students how you write code.
Flipped: Students read and do exercises on their own time. Class time is for personal help, and group work.
[[Lecture only]]
[[Lecture and demonstration]]
[[Flipped]]You teach the course using a mix of lecture and demonstrations.
(set: $score to $score + 2)
(set: $organization to "lecture and demo")
[[Course results]]You teach the course flipped. Students read and do exercises on their own time. Class time is for personal help, and group work.
(set: $score to $score + 3)
(set: $organization to "flipped")
[[Course results]]