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Using scientific experiments in early computer science laboratories

Published:01 March 1992Publication History
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Abstract

Computer science is an experimental science, in the same sense that biology or physics are experimental sciences. Nonetheless, lab exercises for CS1 and CS2 courses are almost never formal “experiments” as the term would be understood in any other science. This paper describes our experiences using formal experiments in CS1 and 2 laboratories. Such exercises are extremely valuable, in part because they help students relate abstract concepts to concrete programs, but more importantly because they lead students into new areas of computing, and even new forms of learning.

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      • Published in

        cover image ACM SIGCSE Bulletin
        ACM SIGCSE Bulletin  Volume 24, Issue 1
        March 1992
        313 pages
        ISSN:0097-8418
        DOI:10.1145/135250
        Issue’s Table of Contents
        • cover image ACM Conferences
          SIGCSE '92: Proceedings of the twenty-third SIGCSE technical symposium on Computer science education
          March 1992
          332 pages
          ISBN:0897914686
          DOI:10.1145/134510

        Copyright © 1992 ACM

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        Association for Computing Machinery

        New York, NY, United States

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        • Published: 1 March 1992

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