EBoard 01: Getting Started
Approximate overview
- Lots of administrative stuff, including attendance
- What is “computer science”?
- A group activity, more or less
- Debrief on activity (possibly Wednesday)
Administrative stuff
Warning! You are being recorded (and transcribed) (provided the technology
is working correctly).
Please take a playing card, if you didn’t already.
You may also wish to take a mask.
Introductory Notes
- Hi, I’m Sam (or SamR).
- Our class mentor is Maddy Thompson
- Maddy will introduce themselves.
- The class Web site is at
https://rebelsky.cs.grinnell.edu/Courses/CSC151/2024Sp/.
- I will email you the link.
- The class Web site is (always) a work in progress.
- CSC-151 is an introductory course in computer science.
- You can succeed (and even excel) with no prior experience.
- We approach material differently than many other intro courses;
prior experience may help, but it may also hinder. For example,
we will not let you re-assign variables. (Don’t worry if you
don’t know what that means.)
- CSC-151 is a community. We come from multiple cultures and backgrounds.
Treat each other with respect and learn to appreciate what each person
can contribute.
- We will return to this issue and the associated learning outcomes
throughout the semester.
- I type our online class notes in a format called “markdown”. You should
find it relatively readable. It permits me to make “nice” Web pages.
- Isn’t this beautiful?
- Sam: Don’t forget to show off today’s eboard.
- Don’t just rely on my notes; There is good evidence that taking
your own notes helps you learn.
- I will record our class sessions (audio only + mediocre transcript)
using Team and Otter.ai. I will try to remember to post the link to
Teams. Remind me if I don’t.
Other introductory stuff
- The CS department maintains a mailing list. Let me know if you’d like
to be added. (Conveniently, the question is on our intro survey.)
- We provide supplies in this classroom to support you in working
and learning.
- Small cards to serve as flashcards, which are a good learning technique.
- Also large post-it pads that are gridded.
- And pens.
- And masks.
- On that note … a friendly reminder that Grinnellians are returning
from around the world and brining viruses and bacteria back with them.
- Plus, covid is on the rise.
- I prefer to have you book office hours. First priority in any time
slot goes to those who book. https:/bit.ly/book-samr
- Office hours are not yet set.
- You’ll learn more introductory stuff when you read the syllabus.
Apologies
- I am old. My hearing is not great, even with hearing aids.
- Our Web site is not as up to date as I’d like. But it will be. Soon.
Ish.
- I am traditionally bad at names+faces. I will be worse with masks. It
will take me some time to learn your names.
- I have some significant life issues at play. I may be absent at unexpected
times (esp. during office hours).
- More to come ….
Upcoming activities
Guidelines
- You can earn “tokens” (more info follows) for attending designated
academic events or supporting your classmates in their pursuits.
- Attend (or watch recording within a day or so) and record a one-paragraph
reflection within three days afterwards.
- Only those activities that I list count.
- But you can suggest others.
- Links might appear in the Announcements channel on MS Teams.
- Unless otherwise specified, these each earn one token.
Scholarly
- Friday, 2024-01-26, 6:00–7:30 p.m., JRC 101.
Celebration of MLK day with Alan Page.
Cultural
- Saturday, 2024-01-27, 11:55 a.m.–3:55 p.m., Harris Cinema.
Met Opera presents Carmen.
Peer
Wellness
Misc
Other good things
- Saturday, 2024-01-27, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Field House.
Grinnell Track and Field Invitational.
Upcoming work
Attendance
- Sam will (attempt to) call you by first name.
- You will respond with
- “Hi, my name is FIRST LAST. (PROPER SURNAME)
- (Optional pronouns.)
- I prefer to be called NAME.
- If you must call me by last name, please call me
Mr./Ms./Mx./Srta./Sr./etc. LAST NAME.
- This semester , I am excited about ….
- Optionally, ask me a question. You’ll also have another chance later.
- Note: For the first few weeks of class, please say your name each time
you ask or answer a question.
Excited About
- My last semester.
- Taking CSC. [+6]
- All classes.
- Global learning program.
- Jiu-jit-su
- Electronics
- The onslaught of spring
- First spring semester at Grinnell.
- Winter.
- Snow. [x2]
- The onslaught of warmth in four months. [x2]
- Playing in the snow.
- Learn a new language.
- Tennis.
- Indoor soccer.
- Harp.
- Guitar.
Q&A
- Grinnell claims that Grinnellians ask good questions and question
easy answers. Why don’t I have a good question? [+5001]
- How did you choose that sequence of titles?
- Why did Prof. P steal my question?
- What theme are you using for your terminal?
I have no idea.
- Have you done any sports?
Have you looked at my shape? I did archery in College. I played
volleyball and tennis (not competitively) in middle school.
My kids played american football, real football, swimming, diving,
cross country, and more that I forget. I attended a lot!
- Why is there more snow in Iowa than Smallpop? (Mini-soda).
Because when it gets too cold, there’s no moisture in the air and
it can’t snow.
- What’s your favorite color? Plaid. Purple.
- Do you have a hex code for purple? No, I am not a witch.
- How old is “SamR’s musings and rants”? About eight years.
- Do you prefer light mode or dark mode? Although I am evil (see the
last name), I prefer light mode.
- How many offspring? Three.
- Why do you like plaid and purple? Does one attempt to explain the beauty
of the flight of a butterfly?
What is computer science?
- Computer science is the study of algorithms and data structures
- Algorithms: Sets of (unambiguous) instructions.
- Data Structures: Ways to organize information.
- We study algorithms by …
- writing algorithms to accomplish certain tasks.
(E.g., Organizing or searching information.)
- identify problems
- generalize / simplify
- write instructions that allow “you” to solve them
- analyzing their efficacy.
- writing systems that implement those instructions (e.g., hardware
or languages).
- considering their effects on individuals or society.
- We study data structures in similar ways.
- Most of this class will be writing and thinking about sets of
instructions in an artificial language (aka a programming language).
- We use an artificial language because artificial languages
can be designed to be less ambiguous. (Also easier for the
computer to follow.)
Exercise
Practice writing algorithms!
- Form a group with other people with the same card.
- Write instructions so that Sam can make a ??? and ??? sandwich
using the box o’ sandwich supplies.
- Assume that Sam is clueless.
Debrief
- Be very specific, particularly when there are multiple things that
could be described in the same way (e.g., “the bread”).
- It’s important to know what the data are like.
- It’s important to know what the computer can and can’t do. Don’t assume.
- Break big tasks down into smaller tasks.
- Some processes can be repeated (e.g., spreading).
And …
- Things will go wrong when you write algorithms. Laugh!
- Four heads are better than one.
- It’s nice to watch an algorithm while it’s performing and correct as
you go.