Student perceptions of different assessment modes in computer programming courses

Student perceptions of different assessment modes in computer programming courses

Suraj Ajit

Assessment in HE Conference, Birmingham, UK, 23-24 June 2015

Abstract

Assessment is a process of measuring the extent to which students have fulfilled the expected learning outcomes for a course/module. There are many assessment strategies adopted by universities across the world for computer programming. They include written examination (closed book, open book), lab examination, multiple-choice/short-answer exams (paper or computer based), course work (or assignments) and oral examination. Again, the format, level and types of questions asked vary across universities. Assessment can take many forms, and it can be argued that the greater the diversity in the methods of assessment, the fairer, assessment is to students (Race 2007). The most effective form of assessment is one that appropriately examines the learning outcomes of the module. Assessment methods are also known to play an important role in how students learn (Brown 2004). The traditional assessment approach, in which one single written examination counts towards a student's total score, no longer meets new demands of programming language education (Wang, Li et al. 2012). Because computer programming is problem-solving oriented and very practical, the assessment of programming learning performance is challenging. The conventional assessment is not easy to be adapted to various new developments in computer programming education. This paper reports on the experience of adopting several assessment methods across programming modules for computing courses at the University of Northampton. In order to evaluate the assessment strategies from the students' perspective, a survey questionnaire was developed and distributed among a selected sample of final year computing course students. The paper discusses the results obtained from this survey. In particular, the paper compares the obtained results with that of other research performed in the same discipline as well as other disciplines. The key research questions the paper attempts to address are as follows:

1. What is the most effective assessment method for programming modules from a students' point of view?

2. How do student perceptions of computing (programming) assessments compare with that of other disciplines? Is programming any different?

3. How do the student performances relate to their perceptions of the assessment methods?

Citation:

Ajit, S. (2015) Student perceptions of different assessment modes in computer programming courses. Other presented to:Assessment in HE Conference, Birmingham, UK, 24-25 June 2015.


All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

Teaching with NAO- social AI

NAO robots were used, in my teaching at least, to teach social AI for the first time this week. The session revolved around the using social cues and, to certain extent, using natural language through chatbots for us to communicate with machines.

The robots were used as an example of a social robot, and the way we want to play with or work with them without having to going through a steep learning curve on to use them. Students were encouraged to consider why this was and that anthropomorphisation plays a part (NAO basically has some of the characteristics of a small child). The fact that it responds to voice commands, its looks, has a childlike voice, that it always moving (even slightly including when it is standing) and the way it moves; were spotted by the group as ways it attracts us to it - it is really hard not to talk to it like a child sometimes (perhaps that is just me).

This activity was also included with the use of chatbots (one example used is shown above) and AIML, Artificial Intelligence Markup Language, (a link to more AIML is included below). The chatbots were used to show how we can create intelligent-like behave by in effect providing responses to questions. Followed by, how we then take this further by using the responses people give, while using the chatbot, to 'fine-tune' the model.

To read more about NAO robots go to https://www.aldebaran.com/en

To read more on AIML go to http://www.alicebot.org/aiml.html

Example chatbots

• ALICE http://alice.pandorabots.com/ (the one shown in the picture above).
• Mitsuku http://www.mitsuku.com/
• An example of an MSc student's work on Chatbots  http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/msc-student-work-chatbot-innovative.html

All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

Teaching Basics of Neural Networks with Spreadsheets

The basis of this idea was inspired by some work that can be found in the paper Varley et al (2005).

In these videos examples of using spreadsheets to play with the concepts of neurones  are shown. These approaches were developed for the teaching of these approaches and the videos were recorded in a class whilst teaching the concept.

Video 1
Using a spreadsheet to replicate the neurone. Video shows the building of the model and it's use. 





Video 2
This video extends the ideas from video 1 and expands them into training a neurone. 

Using a spreadsheet to show the delta rule (change in the weight [x] = learning coefficient * input [x] * (what output we wanted - actual output from the neuron) being used to training the weights for a neurone.





VARLEY, M; PEAK, M; HEYS, J; COLLINS, G; KONSTANTARAS A,  VALLIANATOS, F; PICTON P (2005) Spreadsheet Software as a Teaching Tool for Concepts in Electronic Engineering, [Online] http://www.wseas.us/e-library/conferences/2005athens/ee/papers/507-162.pdf accessed on: 20/2/2016


All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

Ahmad Al-Khalil successfully defended his PhD

Well done to Ahmad Al-Khalil who successfully defended his PhD thesis titled “Vehicle to vehicle communication: Channel modelling and coding” today.  

His supervisory team:
Scott Turner, 
Yinghui Zhang 
Ali Al-Sherbaz.

Related Blogs:

A Predefined Channel Coefficients Library for Vehicle - to - Vehicle Communications

Book Chapter: Utilising SCM – MIMO Channel Model Based on V-BLAST Channel Coding in V2V Communication (DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-17765-6_1) 

Feasibility Study of Utilising SCM – MIMO Channel Model in V2V Communication

Enhancing the Physical Layer in V2V Communication Using OFDM – MIMO Techniques

If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton go to: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk. All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

Network coding/forward error correction code for multiple-input multiple-output wireless communication system

Network coding/forward error correction code for multiple-input multiple-output wireless communication system

Al Barrak, A., Al-Sherbaz, A., Kanakis, T. and Crockett, R. G. M.

8th Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) Postgraduate Research Conference 2015: Innovation, Manchester Metropolitan University, 05 November 2015.

Abstract

A reliable wireless communication channel is amongst the most important issues in a wireless network. Due to its nature, a reliable wireless communication channel is a challenge to provide. Wireless channel diversity is an efficient technique to achieve reliable transmission. Multi-antenna exploits spatial diversity as a method that has been proved to drastically increase channel capacity while keeping bit error rates (BER) near Shannon (lower bound) limits.
Forward error correction code (FEC) or channel coding is an error control technique that is used to provide a time diversity to immunize data against errors over the noisy and unreliable wireless channel (Duman & Ghrayeb, 2007). The main idea behind FEC is that the transmitter encodes data by using error correction code (ECC) to add redundancy. This redundancy allows the receiver to detect and correct a specific number of bits in error - at a time - that may occur in the data stream.
Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems combined with channel coding are shown to improve system BER and channel capacity performance in wireless communications. The combination is often referred to as a coded MIMO system.
The aim of this research is to design or improve a FEC code algorithm for wireless communication network. This algorithm should be suitable to combine with MIMO system and be able to detect and correct the corrupted data in order to decrease the BER and increase wireless channel efficiency. The computational complexity and the data overhead will be used to measure the performance efficiency of the proposed algorithm.

To read more click here.

Al Barrak, A., Al-Sherbaz, A., Kanakis, T. and Crockett, R. G. M. (2015) Network coding/forward error correction code for multiple-input multiple-output wireless communication system. Workshop presented to: 8th Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) Postgraduate Research Conference 2015: Innovation, Manchester Metropolitan University, 05 November 2015.


If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton go to: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk. All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

QoE-aware inter-stream synchronization in open N-screens cloud

A recent paper by Dr Mu Mu:

QoE-aware inter-stream synchronization in open N-screens cloud

Mu, M., Simpson, S., Stokking, H. and Race, N.

Consumer Communications and Networking (CCNC), 2016 13th Annual IEEE. Las Vegas: IEEE. 2331-9860.

Abstract

The growing popularity and increasing performance of mobile devices is transforming the way in which media can be consumed, from single device playback to orchestrated multi-stream experiences across multiple devices. One of the biggest challenges in realizing such immersive media experience is the dynamic management of synchronicity between associated media streams. This is further complicated by the faceted aspects of user perception and heterogeneity of user devices and networks. This paper introduces a QoE-aware open inter-stream media synchronization framework (IMSync). IMSync employs efficient monitoring and control mechanisms, as well as a bespoke QoE impact model derived from subjective user experiments. Given a current lag, IMSync's aim is to use the impact model to determine a good catch-up strategy that minimizes detrimental impact on QoE. The impact model balances the accumulative impact of re-synchronization processes and the degree of non-synchronicity to ensure the QoE. Experimental results verify the run-time performance of the framework as a foundation for immersive media experience in open N-Screens cloud.

Mu, M., Simpson, S., Stokking, H. and Race, N. (2016) QoE-aware inter-stream synchronization in open N-screens cloud. In:Consumer Communications and Networking (CCNC), 2016 13th Annual IEEE. Las Vegas: IEEE. 2331-9860. (In Press)

If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton go to: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk. All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

Improving interactive TV using a mobile applications

Recent paper produce by Dr Mu Mu:

Improving interactive TV experience using second screen mobile applications

Mu, M., Knowles, W. and Race, N.

IEEE International Symposium on Multimedia. Miami, Florida: IEEE Computer Society Press. (In Press)

Abstract
The past two decades have seen a shift in the multimedia consumption behaviours from that of collectivism and passivity, to individualism and activity. This paper introduces the architectural design, implementation and user evaluation of a second screen application, which is designed to supersede the traditional user control interface for primary screen interaction. We describe how NSMobile, our second screen application, can be used as a pervasive multimedia platform by integrating user experiences on both the second screen and primary screen. The quantitative and qualitative evaluation of user interactions with interactive TV content also contributes to the future design of second screen applications.



Mu, M., Knowles, W. and Race, N. (2015) Improving interactive TV experience using second screen mobile application


If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton go to: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk. All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

STEER: Exploring the dynamic relationship between social information and networked media through experimentation

A recent paper by Dr Mu Mu

STEER: Exploring the dynamic relationship between social information and networked media through experimentation
Dijkstra, S., Niamut, O., Efthymiopoulos, N., Denazis, S., Race, N., Mu, M. and Taal, J. 
 IEEE Computer Society Special Technical Community on Social Networking 
3(2)

Abstract

With the growing popularity of social networks, online video services and smart phones, the traditional content consumers are becoming the editors and broadcasters of their own stories. Within the EU FP7 project STEER, project partners have developed a novel system of new algorithms and toolsets that extract and analyse social informatics generated by social networks. Combined with advanced networking technologies, the platform creates services that offer more personalized and accurate content discovery and retrieval services. The STEER system has been deployed in multiple geographical locations during live social events such as the 2014 Winter Olympics. Our use case experiments demonstrate the feasibility and efficiency of the underlying technologies.

To read more click here. 

Dijkstra, S., Niamut, O., Efthymiopoulos, N., Denazis, S., Race, N., Mu, M. and Taal, J. (2015) STEER: Exploring the dynamic relationship between social information and networked media through experimentation. IEEE Computer Society Special Technical Community on Social Networking E-Letter. 3(2)


If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton go to: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk. All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

Race to the Top Coding Competition - Celebration

An event to celebrate the achievement of Northamptonshire school students, who took part in the Race to the Top Coding Competition, was held on the 12th February 2016 at the University of Northampton. The competition organised by  Northamptonshire County Council, The Worshipful Company of Information Technolgists (WCIT, a City of London Livery Company), Code Club and the University of Northampton, with further sponsors and judges from industry to encourage increased and improved engagement with computer coding.

Well done all the students who took part.  Team Sparky from Park Junior School in Wellingborough were the winners in the Primary School group. [Syntax Error] from Kettering Buccleuch Academy were the winners in the Secondary group.

More details about the competition can be found at: http://computingnorthampton.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/the-race-to-top-code-competition-takes.html



If you'd like to find out more about Computing at the University of Northampton go to: www.computing.northampton.ac.uk.

All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

BCS Bedford and IET: Network Rail Southeast Map Project

Details taken from: http://www.beds.bcs.org.uk/event.php?event=118

Network Rail Southeast Map Project

Date	Tuesday 23 Feb 2016
Time	18:30
Registration	Please register for this event
Location	Tavistock Suite, The Park Inn Hotel, 2 St Mary's Street, Bedford MK42 0AR (Free parking at rear - inform hotel reception)
Speakers	Alan Dalley and Katherine Thomas, Network Rail.
Abstract	The project to develop and deliver the Southeast Map app for Network Rail used leading-edge mobile technologies to process and present large amounts of publicly available train running data seamlessly, enabling operational staff to make better informed decisions, enable faster recovery of rail network performance following incidents and provide better quality information to passengers. Its unique value is in the way live data is presented through a simple and recognisable map-based interface. Information that was previously delivered in a complex and inefficient way is now available at a glance to a wider customer base, reducing costs and improving insight, responsiveness and communication with passengers. From the initial customer requirement the project used agile delivery techniques to provide a proof of concept, engage the customer through collaboration, manage complex data and undertake testing to deliver a highly innovative product.
Agenda	6.00pm Registration, refreshments and networking 6.30pm Guest Speakers - Alan Daley & Katherine Thomas 7.20pm Opportunity to question the speakers 7.45pm Opportunity to network and talk to the speakers
Downloads	Flyer

 All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with

Robot investment in Students

Just a short post about students and robots.  A recent investment in robots by the University of Northampton with matched from HEFCE has improved the capability of what can be taught. The larger robots, NAO robots from Aldebaran robotics, now enable the students to experience first-hand social robotics, which is predicted to be a growth area in robotics. The smaller robots are a few of the Picobot 2s, swarm robots from 4Tronix, adding  this capacity to the computing courses.

To read more about the overall investment click here.

All views and opinions are the author's and do not necessarily reflected those of any organisation they are associated with