AN EVALUATION OF A COMPUTER SCIENCE ORIENTATION PROGRAMME

ABSTRACT

A short and intensive orientation programme was offered to a small group of students before the start of their first computer science course. During the orientation programme, students studied Karel, a simple programming language which provides pre‐programming skills for students embarking on a Pascal programming course. The programme was evaluated in terms of the assistance it gave participants in coping with the computing course. This evaluation placed emphasis on both the content of the programme and the social orientation aspects.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Judy Kay

Judy Kay is a lecturer in the Basser Department of Computer Science in the University of Sydney. She has been concerned with computer science education generally for some years, and in particular with problems for women studying computer science. Her research interests are in user modelling and the development of intelligent teaching systems.

Michael Prosser

Michael Prosser is a lecturer in the Centre for Teaching and Learning in the University of Sydney. His interests are in the areas of student learning and curriculum development and evaluation in higher education.