COMP 915: Technical Communication in Computer Science (1 hour)
Course Objectives
Introduce principles and techniques for teaching speaking and writing on computer science topics.
Prerequisites
Graduate major in computer science or permission of instructor.
Approach
Based on assignments, class teaching performances, and discussion participation. Broad curve. Two free late assignments; any more late ones are half credit.
Typical Text
Highet, The Art of Teaching (Vintage)
McKeachie, Teaching Tips, 8th Edition (D.C. Heath)
Strunk and White: The Elements of Style, (MacMillan)
Course Outline
Numbers in parentheses indicate approximate number of weeks
| Aug 25 | Elementary public speaking |
| Sept 1 | The teacher |
| Sept 8 | Methods: lecture, Socratic, recitation, exercise |
| Sept 15 | No class today |
| Sept 22 | Methods: case method, seminar, laboratory |
| Sept 29 | Audio-visual techniques |
| Oct 6 | Motivation, testing, grading |
| Oct 13 | How to teach research, and finding thesis topics |
| Oct 20 | Teaching elementary programming and organizing laboratories |
| Oct 27 | Guest lecturer on teaching elementary programming |
| Nov 3 | Overview of technical writing |
| Nov 10 | Student presentations |
| Nov 17 | Quizzes and examinations; how to prepare and prepare for oral exams |
| Nov 24 | Informal teaching: selling, fund-raising, proposals, and site visits. Computer use in instruction |
| Dec 1 | The teacher as a professional: economics, compensation, the academic marketplace, publish or perish, time-budgeting, professional ethics |
| Dec 8 | Reserved for topics of your and my choice |