Competency Activity

Please create a single, word processed, document (either .doc or .pdf) that answers the following questions.

1. In Fundamentals of Programming I taught functions as one of the last of the six fundamental concepts when I taught Scratch.
• Why do you think I do that?  What is the advantage of teaching it last in the sequence?

 

2. In Fundamentals of Programming I taught functions as one of the first of the six fundamental concepts when I taught Python.
• Why do you think I do that?  What is the advantage of teaching it early in the sequence?
• Many textbooks and faculty teach functions as one of the LAST topics.  Make a case for why this is equally appropriate compared to what I did.

 

3. Consider the following three fundamentals of programming. Which order would you teach these in and why?  What pre-requisite knowledge is gained by placing the first ones earlier than the later ones? [Note, you do not need to parrot back my ordering from FOP if you feel there are advantages of other orderings. There ARE multiple ways to do this. Pick one and explain!]
1. data with actions (mathematical operations)
2. selecting actions (conditionals)
3. sequencing actions (creating an algorithm)

 

4. Consider the concept of data/variable. 
• Do you think this fundamental would be easier to teach in a block-based language (such as Scratch) or a text-based language (such as Python)?  Why?
• Give a specific example you could use to demonstrate this concept.

 

5. Consider the concept of selection statements. 
• Do you think this fundamental would be easier to teach in a block-based language (such as Scratch) or a text-based language (such as Python)?  Why?
• Give a specific example you could use to demonstrate this concept

 

6. Consider the concept of loop statements. 
• Do you think this fundamental would be easier to teach in a block-based language (such as Scratch) or a text-based language (such as Python)?  Why?
• Give a specific example you could use to demonstrate this concept

Submission

This counts as a competency demo in the course. In other words, each question will be assigned a score of 0-4 and an overall grade for the activity will be assigned.

While these questions are somewhat a matter of opinion - that is, they have multiple "right answers" - they can still be graded for competence based on how well you explain and defend your answer(s). Recognize that the degree to which you do so will have an impact on your grade.

Please submit this via Blackboard by the end of the week.