It seemed like a good idea … A Tablet PC-based Next-generation Laboratory Classroom Stephen H....

It seemed like a good idea …A Tablet

PC-basedNext-generation Laboratory

Classroom

Stephen H. EdwardsVirginia Tech, Dept. of Computer Science

[email protected]

Supported by hardware donation from Company X

A Tablet PC-based Next-generation Laboratory Classroom Stephen H. Edwards Virginia Tech, Dept. of Computer Science

What motivated us?

•We were adding a laboratory component to our CS1 and CS2 courses

•We wanted …•To use closed labs•To use more engaging teaching techniques•To use pair programming•To increase student socialization•To work on community building

•We wanted to design a “next generation” lab classroom that would work for our future needs


Before, we had this …

•Traditional computer lab classrooms with lots of machines for students working individually


The vision for a new lab

•Fully wireless and cordless•Stocked with Tablet PCs for student checkout•Lightweight, reconfigurable, movable furniture•Lots of live programming examples in lecture


Comparing performance

•We compared students in the new labs vs. the old labs•No significant difference between lab groups•No significant difference between instructor

sections

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Tablets Desktops Tablets Desktops Tablets Desktops

Lab Assignments Program Assignments All Work

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What worked

•Students liked wireless nature of the new labs

•Students liked the reconfigurable furniture

•Closed labs worked well as a teaching technique

•Pair programming did help

•Live programming examples rather than

traditional lectures worked well


What didn’t work

•Poor match for tasks that involve a lot of programming

•Tablets in the lab

•Screen size too small for working in pairs

•Pen as a pointer is less effective

•Some students began bringing in their own external mice (and even full-size keyboards!)

•Tablets in lecture

•Pen-based markup is more cumbersome when you’re not presenting traditional lecture-style materials

•Extra mobility is not always a benefit when you’re doing live programming examples


What did students think?

•Our survey at the end of the semester produced our results on what worked/didn’t work

•Students who used tablets indicated they were less likely to consider buying a tablet for their next PC

•Tablet PCs are poorly suited to student software development tasks

It seemed like a good idea … A Tablet PC-based Next-generation Laboratory Classroom Stephen H....

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