Task Name: Data Structures Programming Project

Task Designers: Craig Wills

Design of a Cooperative Task

Directions: Describe a cooperative task by filling in the following aspects to consider for the design of the task.

1. Description of task. Design and implementation of a group programming project.

2. Instructional and cooperative objectives. Learn and gain experience with basic data structures, algorithms and large program design. Use groups to create support groups within a large course.

3. Assessment of objectives. Group and individual grades on assignments. Individual assessments of group member contributions. Examine retention rates.

4. Coverage (course, topics). Basic data structures and algorithm design in a CS2 course.

5. Duration: Each project is 2-3 weeks (3 projects).

6. In-class or out-of-class: Out-of-class.

7. Informal (ad hoc), formal or long-term base groups used? Base groups.

8. What is the group size? 4-5

9. How is group membership determined? By instructor based on student assessment of technical and group skills along with out-of-class schedules.

10. What are the roles of group members? None assigned. Leadership and organizer assumed in some groups.

11. Graded or non-graded task? Graded.

12. If graded, group or individual grade? Individual grades based on group grade and individual assessments.

13. How is individual accountability maintained? Individuals are rated on their contributions to the group by other group members.

14. How is positive interdependence encouraged? Each member has a portion of the project to complete. Project will not work without all portions.

15. Size of class in which task can be used. 130-150.

16. Additional resources used? Use of Peer Learning Assistants (PLAs), upper-level undergrads, to help monitor sets of groups and facilitate group interaction.

17. Other aspects?