The goal of this project is to enhance student performance and retention in introductory computer science courses through the use of closed laboratories. To enable this teaching approach we will create a computer laboratory. The laboratory will consist of a file server, a Postscript printer, a network of 20 microcomputers equipped with Alsys ActivAda, and 10 dot-matrix printers. This facility will be used to conduct weekly closed laboratories. Each laboratory will provide hands-on learning experiences for mastering basic programming skills and becoming competent with the tools most frequently needed for program development. These tools, which are integrated within ActivAda, include an editor, compiler, formatter, debugger, librarian, and execution profiler. The laboratory will be staffed 14 hours a day. In addition to being used for scheduled closed laboratory sessions, it will be used by students to complete course programming projects. An additional 5 licenses for ActivAda will permit students to access this software from other campus computer clusters when the lab is scheduled. By integrating a closed laboratory into our current course structure, we expect to improve student performance on programming projects and increase the percentage of students who successfully complete the introductory sequence.
