Assessment self-quizzes
24-Feb-2010 09:56
In class yesterday I passed out a sheet with what I call an assessment self-quiz. Solutions are now posted in the Solutions page here on the site.
They’re not quizzes for a grade, so what is the role of these? Two things:
They’re not quizzes for a grade, so what is the role of these? Two things:
- As I lecture, you can see some questions on basic or core things that come up in the lecture. Often the answers are given on the slides or in words. So it’s not supposed to be hard. Hopefully you get a better idea of what I think you should understand from the lecture.
- Afterwards, I can look over these quickly to try to see how you all did as a group in understanding things. I don’t expect perfect answers or even all questions answered. But if I see everyone misses something or leaves something blank, then I can correct for that in the next class. Also, if one of you leaves all or many problems blank, or they’re all very wrong, then that’s a flag that someone may be struggling or may be completely tuned out in class. (And I may check up on such students!)
Exam 1 Info
22-Feb-2010 17:50
- You’ll find a “topics list” under the Slides Etc. link.
- In class tomorrow we’ll look over this and do other review.
- I do have some sample problems for you to look at. We’ll use those in class, and post solutions afterwards.
- Extra office hours! My office hours will be:
- Tues.: 11-noon and 2:15-3:30
- Weds.: 10:30-11am and 1:30-3pm
- Thurs.: last minute questions in my office at 9am
- There isn’t a sample exam from the past for you to look at. Sorry.
- If you are authorized to take the exam under special conditions by LNEC, make sure I have your paperwork from LNEC by Weds.!
Radio Puzzler and CS4102
22-Feb-2010 13:07
On National Public Radio there is a popular show called Car Talk where some funny mechanics (MIT grads) take calls about car problems and other things. Each week there’s a “puzzler”, a puzzle where you can submit the answer for and get your name read on the radio (if you’re selected from the hundreds of correct answers).
As I was driving in to the Engineering Open House last Saturday, I heard this week’s puzzler and laughed when I realized it’s essentially a CS4102 problem we did in class (and that could be on the exam). You can see the Car Talk Puzzler at this link. By the way, the previous week’s puzzler was also a question a CS student could nail. (A CS101 or CS216 student could do that one.)
As I was driving in to the Engineering Open House last Saturday, I heard this week’s puzzler and laughed when I realized it’s essentially a CS4102 problem we did in class (and that could be on the exam). You can see the Car Talk Puzzler at this link. By the way, the previous week’s puzzler was also a question a CS student could nail. (A CS101 or CS216 student could do that one.)
HW3 now up
19-Feb-2010 17:48 Filed in: To Do
Homework 3 is now posted. It’s a "short" homework, worth less the HWs 1 and 2. There are fewer problems to turn in, and most are simpler. Also, you can work with up to three people in a group. The main goal for HW3 is to make you look at the kind of problems from the most recent part of the course that might be on Exam 1. It’s not intended to be a killer, last-minute assignment! 
When will it be due? Shoot for Tuesday at 4:30 pm, though there is no penalty if it’s turned in by the start of the exam. When you turn it in, I will email you a password to let you see the solutions on the website.
Again, the goal here is help you see some of the kind of problems you might see on newer material. We can talk about any concerns about due dates, solutions, etc. in class on Tuesday.
When will it be due? Shoot for Tuesday at 4:30 pm, though there is no penalty if it’s turned in by the start of the exam. When you turn it in, I will email you a password to let you see the solutions on the website.
Again, the goal here is help you see some of the kind of problems you might see on newer material. We can talk about any concerns about due dates, solutions, etc. in class on Tuesday.
HW2 news: examples, clarifications
11-Feb-2010 12:35
(1) In the Forums (on Collab), there’s a topic in the HW2 Questions forum called “Clarifications”. I’ll post clarifications, explanations etc. there. You’re required to read these and follow any clarifications/instructions posted there.
And ask questions in the Forum, if you have any!!
(2) In the Code section of the website there are now Java and Python solutions to a problem similar to the one we did in class today. These solve the problem of counting both the number of positive and negative values in an array/list of int values. The Java code illustrates how to pass-back two int values from a method to its caller. The Python code shows you how pairs of values (actually n-tuples) can assigned and also returned by a function. (How this works in Python is pretty easy and obvious!) So, you might find it interesting to compare Java and Python for the same problem.
(3) We did not cover the Master or Main theorem in class today. So, for problem Rec2, you're not required to turn it in for HW2. Turn it when you turn in HW3. (The grade will count as part of HW2.)
And ask questions in the Forum, if you have any!!
(2) In the Code section of the website there are now Java and Python solutions to a problem similar to the one we did in class today. These solve the problem of counting both the number of positive and negative values in an array/list of int values. The Java code illustrates how to pass-back two int values from a method to its caller. The Python code shows you how pairs of values (actually n-tuples) can assigned and also returned by a function. (How this works in Python is pretty easy and obvious!) So, you might find it interesting to compare Java and Python for the same problem.
(3) We did not cover the Master or Main theorem in class today. So, for problem Rec2, you're not required to turn it in for HW2. Turn it when you turn in HW3. (The grade will count as part of HW2.)
Homework policies
09-Feb-2010 13:43
(1) Need a clarification or regrade? See the TA at her office hours (or drop her an email to set up a meet). If that doesn’t resolve it, see me. Note that she gets a key about how much to take off, so don’t negotiate about whether your mistake was worth -3 or -5 pts etc.
(2) Solutions: Yes, they’ll be posted. Watch this space. Once they’re posted, please ask questions in class.
(3) Scores and averages: Once I have the scores organized, I’ll upload these to Collab or something equivalent.
(4) How to submit: We’ll now accept papers until 4:30pm. Turn them in at class or in the CS office, Olsson 204 (look for an envelope). Late papers turned in to Olsson 204 within 24 hours get a 10% deduction.
(5) TA office hours updated: They’re now Mon., 3:30-4:30. Tuesday, 2-3pm
Email her if you’d like to see her at another time.
(2) Solutions: Yes, they’ll be posted. Watch this space. Once they’re posted, please ask questions in class.
(3) Scores and averages: Once I have the scores organized, I’ll upload these to Collab or something equivalent.
(4) How to submit: We’ll now accept papers until 4:30pm. Turn them in at class or in the CS office, Olsson 204 (look for an envelope). Late papers turned in to Olsson 204 within 24 hours get a 10% deduction.
(5) TA office hours updated: They’re now Mon., 3:30-4:30. Tuesday, 2-3pm
Email her if you’d like to see her at another time.
HW2 now up
08-Feb-2010 16:12
The second problem set is now posted. Among all of them are 5 to be turned in at some point. These problems are from things we covered last Thursday and things we’ll cover in the next two lectures (this week). There will be a 3rd set of problems posted later for things covered next week before Exam 1 is given on Thurs., Feb. 25.
I’ll consult with you in class tomorrow about when the required problems from this set will be due.
We agreed in class today that it will be due Tuesday, Feb. 16. Turn it in at class or by 4:30pm in the CS office, Olsson 204, in the envelope placed there. If later than 4:30 pm, you can submit up to 24 hrs late for a 10% penalty. (Late HW papers turned in the same place.)
We agreed in class today that it will be due Tuesday, Feb. 16. Turn it in at class or by 4:30pm in the CS office, Olsson 204, in the envelope placed there. If later than 4:30 pm, you can submit up to 24 hrs late for a 10% penalty. (Late HW papers turned in the same place.)
HW1 news, reminders
03-Feb-2010 14:36 Filed in: To Do
- The required HW cover sheet to be used for each HW is now in the Homeworks area of this website (in .pdf and .doc formats).
- HW1 is due at the start of class tomorrow, Feb. 4.
- It can be turned in late up to 24 hours late with a 10% penalty in the Assignments tool of the Collab site. (See link on this page.) If you do this, your electronic submission must have a cover sheet and follow the cover sheet rules.
Python Info
01-Feb-2010 17:11
There’s now a page here on Python. It has links to getting Python, tutorials, etc. It also has a quick overview of the back features you might need to know to understand the Python code in the examples.
Python use is not required (yet), but I strongly encourage to download it and try it out.
Python use is not required (yet), but I strongly encourage to download it and try it out.
Help on HW1
01-Feb-2010 14:44 Filed in: To Do
Have you started HW1? Confused? Have questions?
See you in class where we’ll talk more about these things.
- I haven’t lectured on some topics (time-complexity and related proofs). I’ve put the draft set of slides up now, but see you in class tomorrow when I’ll talk about these things.
- Sonali our TA will have office hours Tuesday from 2-4pm. First, stop by her cube in Olsson 229 (see seat-map on the door), and then she’ll go down to the CS lounge with you. If you don’t see her at her cube, she’s probably in the lounge.
- I’ve put a Discussion topic for questions on HW1 on the Collab site. Clicking on Forums on this page should take you there.
See you in class where we’ll talk more about these things.