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Homework 1

Assigned Jan. 23, due Feb. 11

To be done individually

• Fill out the pre-semester survey on the Web.
• Fill out the daily survey, including your name, at least once, just to show that you can.
  (For the rest of the semester, you can use it anonymously if you wish.)
• Post at least one question, answer, or note to Piazza (try starting with an Introduction; I've given an example).
• Watch four brief videos (a total of about 35 minutes):
  • A brief video on using DrRacket
  • The cheesy but informative "Fun with Pair Programming". Here's the video in MOV format, the same video in WMV format, and a one-page printable sheet to remind you of the main points.
  • The slightly less cheesy "Pair Programming Mythbusters", aimed at teachers (but I'm sure you'll "get it"). Here are Episodes 1-3 in MOV format, Episodes 1-3 in WMV format, Episodes 4-6 in MOV format, and Episodes 4-6 in WMV format.
• Read the following:
  • Chapters 0-3 of the Picturing Programs textbook.
  • The Joys (and Woes) of the Craft of Programming.
  • This article on Pair Programming.
  • Skim some of Why Scheme? (I recommend returning to this page and reading a few more entries every week.)
  • Skim Adages on Software Design and Development (Again, I recommend returning to this page and reading a few more entries every week.)
• Write a few paragraphs on your reaction to the reading and video assignments, and turn them in by email to Dr. Bloch. Be sure to include your name!
• Build some interesting pictures in DrRacket, using the material of chapters 1-3. Turn them in, along with the Racket expressions you used to build them, by e-mail. If you use copied images (e.g. clip-art or photos), tell me where you got them.
• Make an appointment (e.g. by e-mail) to see Dr. Bloch in his office for 5-10 minutes.

Grading standards

10 points possible: 1 for each survey, 1 for meeting Dr. Bloch in his office, 1 for the Piazza post, 3 for the "reaction essay", and 3 for the artwork. The essay will be graded primarily on whether I'm convinced you've read the material and thought about it carefully, although really bad spelling, grammar, or style may cost you a point too. Pictures will be graded on creativity, attractiveness, interestingness, and demonstrated use of DrRacket graphics tools.

Examples of student work

Here are some pictures other students produced for the “Build some interesting pictures in DrRacket” assignment in past semesters: