Effective Assessment For Early Courses in Computer Science: Instruments Other Than Out-Of-Class Programming Assignments

This is an experience paper that describes methods of student assessment in introductory- and intermediate-level computing courses. The paper explains the need for alternate methods in the evaluation of out-of-class programming assignments and enumerates several options that have been incorporated into freshman- and sophomore-level courses. I show how these techniques provide a more reliable assessment of student mastery of course objectives. In addition, I describe benefits in terms of increased student intellectual engagement and a deeper mastery of essential foundational material.