74.101 Introductory Computer Science I

Summer 2001 - University of Manitoba

Overview

The introductory course 74.101 was the first course I ever taught. It was a summer course scheduled Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:00-10:00 pm and ran from April 30, 2001 to June 14, 2001. The class size was approximately 80 students. Although it was a learning experience, the positive student feedback and excellent performance made the summer sacrifice very rewarding.

On-line Resources

• ROASS document (syllabus)
• Current course web site

Student Performance

Of the 83 registered students who started the course, 68 passed the course for a very high 81.9% pass rate. Usual pass rates for this course are around 50-60%. Although the high pass rate was affected by teaching ability, it was also affected by the introduction of a new lab program that further helped students passed the course. This is demonstrated by the fact that the instructor for the other section of the course (who has taught the course multiple times) achieved a pass rate just under 80% which was also high based on his historic average. The introduction of the lab sessions had a definite positive affect, but still the high pass rate was a pleasant surprise.

Comments

• "I thought Ramon Lawrence was an excellent prof. I learned a lot and I thought his teaching style and approach to be very effective. I found him to be very approachable and he presented the topics in a way that was easy to learn from. ... Ramon Lawrence is the best prof I have had."
  


• "He was very enthusiastic, and although a little overly idealistic in wishing that everyone pass, and imploring them to try their very hardest, he really tried and taught very well with a kind [of] youthful vigor and charisma."
  


• "Ramon is a wonderful prof. ... Ramon is one of the best instructor[s] I have had during my more than 20 years [of] student life."
  


• "Ramon's approach to teaching is great! We need more profs with positive attitude like his. He really tries hard to make sure that every one passes. He rocks!"
  


• "Ramon was a great prof for this course, often going out of his way to help those that asked. Encourages class participation and gets people involved. A++"
  


• "I expected to not like this class at all, but I ended up enjoying it - the professor gave very clear explanations and was very approachable."
  


• "Looking forward to 74.102 ... if only my 1st instructor for 74.101 during regular session had been as good."
  


• "Honestly, Ramon is the best lecturer I have [had]. He is really helpful even though I am really dumb in computer science. He is trying his best to teach all of us in the class."