Assessment Tool

Lecture: Style

Content Tested: Style and Good Programming Habits

Lecture Content:

Style
Well-organized Code
Programmer Skills

Goals:

Ability to synthesize and integrate information
Learn concepts and theories
Develop capacity to think for oneself

Assessment Technique: Advertisement

Purpose:

This activity allows instructors to see what types of abilities and skills students feel are important to be a successful programmer.

Activity: You are the chief software developer at a company and need to hire a C programmer. Write an advertisement listing the qualities that are important for this position. You might include specific guidelines regarding style.

Possible Answers:

Ability to solve problems
Thinks creatively when producing solutions
Effective team member
Well-commented and clear code
Ability to read and modify existing code

Possible Uses of Activity:

Have students work in groups to complete the advertisement. Once the groups are finished, have each group share their advertisement in class. The instructor should ask why each of the qualities contributes to a successful programmer.
If the instructor is short on time, have the students generate a single advertisement as a class.