9452148 Narten This project aims to improve the productivity of computer science programmers and improve the quality of the software they produce. We are creating a computer laboratory in which closed laboratory sessions teach students how to use flexible, general-purpose tools. Instead of focusing on specialized tools (e.g., CASE tools for software engineering), we examine tools useful in a wide variety of contexts, including the emacs text editor, make, awk, the command shell, and multiple windows. Using and studying powerful tools make students more productive software developers and allow them the benefits of making software adaptable, customizable, and reusable. Weekly laboratory sessions will be added to the three freshman and sophomore introductory computer science courses required of all CS majors and minors. In conjunction With the lab, we refocus the emphasis in grading student programming assignments to provide students with more detailed feedback on the design and structure of their programs. Our goal is to teach students good programming techniques at the time they are first learning how to program and are picking up programming habits that they carry with them throughout their careers. The novel ideas in this proposal include having all freshman CS students learn and use general tools starting with their first course, reinforcing the use of those tools in the three consecutive courses required of all CS majors, and having students revise and resubmit the programs they submit for credit.
