Tech 043 01 Module Introduction Mark Dixon Page

Tech 043 01 – Module Introduction Mark Dixon Page 1

Web site • All material (slides, handouts, etc. ) available before session: mdixon. soc. plymouth. ac. uk Mark Dixon Page 2

About Me • Contact Details Mark Dixon mark. dixon@plymouth. ac. uk 01752 586225 Portland Square Room B 316 • Availability Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu – School of Computing Communications and Electronics (main campus) Fri – other work (usually off-campus) Mark Dixon Page 3

Module Admin • Lectures and tutorials: – start at 5 minutes past the hour, and – aim to end at 5 minutes to the hour – if no lecturer - wait until 15 minutes past the hour then you may leave – Turn mobile phones off. – Ask questions or comment at any time – Feel free to talk quietly amongst yourselves – No need to ask to leave (for toilet, doctor's, etc. ) – Please use my first name • Lectures: – Don’t come in after 15 minutes past the hour. Mark Dixon Page 4

Module Aims • This module aims to teach you, how to: – learn • surface learning (memorisation of isolated facts): hacking • deep learning (interrelated concepts) • includes interacting with others (lecturers, students, …) – develop software: • fundamental programming concepts (e. g. events, procedures) • how to combine these to solve problems – use Visual BASIC Mark Dixon Page 5

Driving, IT, and Computing Driver Mechanic Designer User IT Support Developer install + fix technology create + build invent technology use car use technology School ICT GCSE/A level Mark Dixon fix car invent car University Computing Degrees Page 6

Module Format • Lecture: 1 hr per week, all groups • Tutorials / Practical Session: 2 hr per week lots of these (please check timetable) • Private study (as much as it takes – typically 3 hours/week) • Teaching Evaluation (timely and specific) – Student Perception Questionnaire – Continuous Informal Feedback (talk to me) Mark Dixon Page 7

Timetable • • Tutorial 1 – CSN + Comp (surname A-D) Tutorial 4 – Maths & Stats Tutorial 3 – Comp (surname E-Z) Tutorial 2 – Overflow Mark Dixon Page 8

Schedule (subject to change) Mark Dixon Page 9

Assessment • Module (average) – Coursework (average) • C 1 - Term 1 • C 2 - Term 2 – Tests (average) • T 1 - Term 1 • T 2 - Term 2 Mark Dixon Page 10

Surface vs. Deep Learning • For example, remember Learning to add up Surface Approach memorise all combinations Deep Approach understand theory 1+1=2 1+2=3 1+3=4 … 2+3=5 … 734 + 243 = 977 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Mark Dixon 2+3=5 Page 11

Questions • My job is: – not to give you the answer – but to help you understand, so you can work it out yourself • Asking the right Questions – it doesn't work! – I am working on … – I did … – I was expecting … Mark Dixon Page 12

Attendance • Attendance is compulsory and essential to pass • This is not a distance learning course • portal is supplement (not replacement) for attending lectures and tutorials Mark Dixon Page 13

Student Background • Typically wide range of prior experience A. B. C. D. E. 10 years programming (professional? ) 5 years programming (professional? ) 2 years programming (learning? ) 1 year programming (learning) no programming number of students A • B C D E Can be difficult to cater for all Mark Dixon Page 14

Previous Year • 36 students – offered 1 to 1 sessions after assignment 1 – all who did this passed • 14 failed initially (38%) – large number of non-submissions • everyone who attended - passed • everyone who submitted - passed Mark Dixon Page 15

Strategy for Success • Most failures: – tried to do it on their own • missed many lectures and tutorials • didn’t ask questions • didn't come and see me with problems • To pass module – attend lectures and tutorials (if you miss a session – see me – I will help) – ask questions Mark Dixon Page 16

Student Feedback • feedback form – filled in by students – handed in with assignment • this student: – failed (low attendance, low contact with me) – did referred work (over summer) – passed Mark Dixon Page 17

Admin – free software • MS Visual Studio 2010, includes • Visual Web Developer 2010 • Visual BASIC 2010 • Visual C# 2010 • Download: http: //www. tech. plymouth. ac. uk/msdnaa/ Mark Dixon Page 18

Jobs Mark Dixon Page 19

Reading List 1 The following book is recommended reading: – Robbins J (2006) HTML & XHTML Pocket Reference (3 rd edition). O'Reilly. ISBN: 978 -0 -596 -52727 -3 – Childs M, Lomax P, & Petrusha R (2001) VBScript Pocket Reference. O'Reilly. ISBN: 978 -0 -596 -00126 -1 – Gennick J (2006) SQL Pocket Guide (2 nd edition). O'Reilly. ISBN: 978 -0 -596 -52688 -7 – Kingsley-Hughes, and Read (2004) VBScript (2 nd Edition). Wiley Publishing Inc. ISBN: 0 -7645 -5993 -1 Mark Dixon Page 20