Assessment Tool
Lecture 17: Multidimensional Arrays
Content Tested: Applications of 2-D arrays
Lecture Content:
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1-D arrays
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2-D arrays
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2-D arrays as parameters
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Layout of 2-D arrays in memory
Goals:
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Develop ability to apply principles and generalizations already learned
to new problems and situations
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Learn concepts and theories
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Develop capacity to think for oneself
Assessment Technique: Application Cards
Purpose:
Instructors can find out how well students understand possible applications
of 2-D arrays.
Activity:
We saw how to use 2-D arrays in today's lecture. Describe possible
applications of using 2-D arrays and what information you would store in
the array for each application. Also, if possible, include the dimensions
of the 2-D array that would appropriate for each application.
Students may need to see some examples before thinking of an application
on their own. Here are examples of possible applications:
application: spreadsheet
what to store: numbers (probably double values)
dimension: user defined
application: checkers/chess game
what to store: numbers reflecting the position of certain pieces
(in checkers, 1 might represent red, 2 might represent black, and 0 might
represent an empty square)
dimensions: 8 x 8
application: tic-tac-toe game
what to store: 'o', 'x', or ' ' depending on the current state
of the game
dimensions: 3 x 3
application: 2-D matrix from math
what to store: the values (probably double or int values) of
the matrix
dimensions: same as matrix dimensions
Possible Uses of Activity:
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Have students write applications individually and submit these to the instructor
anonymously. The instructor reads the applications and the class
discusses the use of 2-D arrays in the applications.
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Each student writes an application and explains their application to the
rest of the class.
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Break students into small groups (2-4 people) and have each group find
five or more applications. Have each group explain their applications
to the rest of the class.