The Outside-In Method of Teaching Introductory Programming

The new design for the introductory programming course at ETH relies on object technology, Eiffel, extensive reuse, a graphics-rich library (TRAFFIC) built specifically for the course, a textbook (“Touch of Class”) and an Outside-In approach based on “inverted curriculum” ideas. This article presents the key aspects of the approach. Note: readers interested in following the development of our course, the “Touch of Class” textbook and the supporting TRAFFIC software project may look up the page se.inf.ethz.ch/touch, where they can also subscribe to mailing lists connected with the approach. 1 Thecontext Many computer science departments around the world are wondering today how best to teach introductory programming. This has always been a difficult task, but new challenges have been added to the traditional ones: • There is a strong pressure from many sources to emphasize directly operational skills over deeper, longterm concepts. • Pressure also come from student fam...

• Type: Conference
• Year: 2003
• Where: ERSHOV
• Authors: Bertrand Meyer
• Keywords: ERSHOV 2003, Introductory Programming, Introductory Programming Course, Skills