EBoard 01: Getting Started (Section 1)
Approximate overview
- Lots of administrative stuff, including attendance
- What is “computer science”?
- A group activity, more or less
- Debrief on activity (possibly continued on Monday)
Administrative stuff
- Please take a playing card, if you haven’t already.
- Sit where you wish (with reason).
Introductory Notes
- Hi, I’m Sam (or SamR).
- Our class mentor is Alyssa
- They will introduce themselves
- They are here for help.
- They answer questions during class.
- They run mentor sessions.
- The class Web site is at
https://rebelsky.cs.grinnell.edu/Courses/CSC151/2026Fa/.
- I will email you the link.
- The class Web site is (always) a work in progress.
- I don’t use Canvas.
- 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 CS 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 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? (No, not really.)
- 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 try to record our class sessions (audio, mediocre transcript, and
pointless video) using Teams. You will be able to find the recordings
on Teams. Due to technological difficulties, today’s class will not
be recorded.
- On that note, technology is generally refusing to play nice with me today.
Stay tuned.
Other introductory stuff
- 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.
- Also whiteboards with whiteboard markers and erasers.
- 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 posted,, but they will be next week.
- You can also DM me on Teams to arrange office hours (or email me, or
talk to me after class).
- You’ll learn more introductory stuff when you read the syllabus
over the weekend.
Apologies
- I am old. My hearing is not great, even with hearing aids. Please
try to speak loudly. I may ask you to repeat yourselves. I may ask
the people near the front of the room to repeat what you said.
- Our Web site is not as up to date as I’d like. But it will be.
- I am behind on class prep. I expect to catch up over the weekend.
- I am traditionally bad at names+faces. It will take me some time
to learn your names.
- My wife passed away nearly two years ago. As I near the anniversary,
I am likely to be especially maudlin.
- I am snarky/sarcastic.
- More to come ….
Upcoming activities
Guidelines
- You can earn “tokens” (more info in syllabus) 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.
- Unless otherwise specified, each activity earns one token.
Scholarly
- Thursday, 3 September 2026, 11:00 a.m.–noon, JRC 101.
Scholars’ Convocation: Anne Harris
Artistic/Cultural
Multicultural
- Friday, 28 August 2026, 4:10–5:00 p.m., HSSC N1170.
Middle of Everywhere
- Friday, 4 September 2026, 4:10–5:00 p.m., HSSC N1170.
Middle of Everywhere
Peer
Musical, theatric, sporting, academic, and similar events involving this
section’s students are welcome.
- Saturday, 29 August 2026, 1:00–4:00 p.m., Rosenbloom Field.
Football Scrimmage vs. Buena Vista
Wellness
- Monday, 31 August 2026, 8:00–9:00 p.m., Prayer Garage.
Meditation Group
- Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 4:30–6:00 p.m., Bear Center Multipurpose Dance Studio (P103).
Wellness Yoga
- Wednesday, 2 September 2026, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. JRC Lobby, Table 3.
Free Mom Hugs
- Wednesday, 2 September 2026, 4:00–5:00 p.m., Burling 1st.
Speed Friending
Misc
- Saturday, 29 August 2026, 3:00–?? p.m., Roberts Theatre.
PerforMIXER
Other good things
These do not earn tokens, but are worth your consideration.
- Saturday, 29 August 2026, 9:00 a.m.–noon, Tennis Courts.
Women’s Tennis vs. Coe College
- Tuesday, 1 September 2026, 4:30–6:30 p.m., Springer Field.
Women’s Soccer vs. U. Dubuque
- Friday, 4 September 2026, 5:00–7:00 p.m., Darby.
Volleyball vs St. Benedict vs. Simpson
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.
- Note: For the first few weeks of class, please say your name each time
you ask or answer a question.
Friday Public Service Announcement (PSA)
You will receive a Friday PSA each week.
- PSA
- Student estimates of what the “normal” Grinnellian does are inflated.
- Whatever you choose, there are Grinnellians who make the same choice.
- You have people who care about you (I hope).
- Consent is essential.
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.)
Questions
Can we vibe code in this class?
Absolutely not! You need to develop the basic skills, first.
Will these updates show up on the Web site?
Maybe.
What language do we use and why?
Scheme. Mostly because it teaches good habits and it’s elegant.
Do you use the same language in all three courses in the introductory
sequence?
Nope. We move on to C and then Java.
What is the workload for the class like?
It’s in the syllabus.
Bi-weekly projects (every two weeks).
Daily readings.
Daily labs.
Weekly quizzes.
Weekly metacognitive reflections.
Exercise
Practice writing algorithms! In teams.
Getting organized
- Your team is everyone with the same card value as you (ignore suit).
- Once you’ve formed your team, grab two or three whiteboards, a marker
or two, and an eraser.
The problem
Given the following things, make a nut butter and fruit bread sandwich.
- loaf of bread
- jar of nut butter
- fruit spread
- two knives
- two spoons
- two forks
- pack o’ plates
- napkins
- can of fizzy water
You will write instructions that I will attempt to follow.
Intermission: Sam attempts the first few instructions
- Whoops! We forgot to tell him to open the bag of plates.
- Whoops! “Open” seems a bit too generic.
- Whoops! “It” can be confusing.
- Whoops! We forgot to tell Sam to put things down.
Trying again
Questions
Do we have to tell you where/how to place the tablecloth?
No.
Do we have to tell you to put on the apron?
No.
Do we have to specify which bread bag?
No, but I could misunderstand.
Debrief
What did you learn? Or what might you have learned?