Methods of Structured Programming

Mtht 420

Spring 2001

5-8 PM Tuesday SEO 219

SCHEDULE

The schedule and outline for this course is available at http://www.math.uic.edu/~burgiel/Mtht420/schedule.html.

DESCRIPTION

From the catalog: Structured programming teaching aids such as Karel the Robot and ELAN0, data types, control structures, procedures, functions, efficiency of algorithms, arrays and recursion. Prerequisite: Grade of C or better in Math 210.

In reality: In the Spring '01 course we will use the LOGO programming language to teach basic programming skills. The emphasis of the course will be on the ideas and intellectual processes involved in programming; students' experiences in this course should provide a solid foundation for future studies of computer programming.

Material will be presented in multiple formats. Lectures and handouts will cover the specifics of LOGO commands and theory about computer programming. There will be homework, exams and class discussions. Students will participate in and have the opportunity to design hands-on exercises in programming and tracing programs. Students will share their personal experience in presentations. The textbook covers the pedagogy of LOGO programming.

INSTRUCTOR

Heidi Burgiel
burgiel@math.uic.edu, SEO 205, (312) 413-3745
Discussion list: burgiel-mtht420@math.uic.edu
Office hours: Mondays 2:30-3:30 and by appointment.

GRADING POLICY

Homework, 40%:  Weekly homework will consist of writing and turning in listings of programs, essays on aspects of programming, and combinations thereof. Homework will normally be graded on a scale of 1 to 10. Extra credit projects may be submitted to add up to 5 points each to your total homework grade.

Exams, 50%:  There will (probably) be two open book open note midterm exams (15% each) and a final exam (20%).

Class Participation, 10%:  Students should be willing to work in groups, assist their peers, and share computers. They will be expected to ask questions and to present the results of their work in class discussions, and should not be overly disruptive of lecture or discussion.

REQUIRED

Teaching with Logo. by Molly Watt and Daniel Watt.

Pencil, paper, floppy diskette.

Working email address.

RECOMMENDED

Home computer.

UCB LOGO

Printout of the UCB LOGO user manual.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This course was inspired by the University of Washington's Geometry for Teachers course taught by professor James King in the winter of 1994.

Some examples may be drawn from the book The LOGO Language: Learning Mathematics Through Programming by Feurzeig, Lukas and Lukas.

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