A Remote Instructional Approach with Interactive and Collaborative Learning to Teach an Introductory Programming Course during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This work presents our experience and approach of teaching an introductory CS programming course remotely in this pandemic era without missing out on the benefits of hands-on learning generally used in-person learning environment. Synchronous virtual learning occurs when students join an audio/video enabled meeting space at the same time through several cloud based services, such as Zoom based conference tool, interactive cloud based coding environment in repl.it and GoSoapBox platform for online in-classroom engagement, which were well integrated in the Canvas based Learning Management System (LMS). To keep the structure of the session much like an in person learning experience, the synchronous session included whole group instruction in Zoom led by the instructor and small group (breakout room) based lab work in Repl.it amongst the learners. Both interactive and collaborative learning are infused in pedagogy effectively so that students can learn using interactive platforms, tools, technologies, systems, and services as available to them and collaborate within and among groups. To evaluate the impact of this infusion, a pre- and post-survey were conducted on student cohort (4 sections taught by 3 different instructors) in the Fall’2020 semester. In addition, final project scores and final grades for Fall’2020 semester and enrollment number and final grade distributions from Fall’2017 to Fall’2020 were also available for analysis. The initial evaluation of the survey results and student’s performances based on quality point scores show evidence to conclude that the proposed pedagogical approach increased student motivation and engagement and facilitated learning to entry-level computer science students.