Course Description:
CS 136L: Tools and Techniques for Software Development
This course introduces students to tools and techniques useful in the software development lifecycle. Students learn to navigate and leverage commands and utilities in the Linux Command Line Shell. Students gain experience in version control software, writing scripts to automate tasks, and creating effective test cases to identify bugs. Tracing and debugging strategies are discussed. Students also gain experience in using built-in support for version control, testing, debugging, build automation, etc. in integrated development environments (IDEs).
Dave's Comments:
Teaching Evaluations:
Number of Respondents: 15 / 58 (26%)
| The instructor(s) helped me to understand the course concepts. |
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | No Basis for Rating |
| 1 | 1 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| 7% | 7% | 40% | 40% | 7% |
The instructor(s) created a supportive environment that helped me learn
(Supportive environments enable students to feel included and valued regardless of any aspect of their identity). |
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | No Basis for Rating |
| 1 | | 1 | 7 | 6 | |
| 7% | | 7% | 47% | 40% | |
| The instructor(s) stimulated my interest in this course. |
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | No Basis for Rating |
| | 2 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| | 13% | 40% | 40% | 7% |
The intended learning outcomes were identified
(Learning outcomes/objectives articulate what students should be able to know, do, and/or value by the end of a course). |
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | No Basis for Rating |
| | 2 | 8 | 5 | |
| | 13% | 53% | 33% | |
| The course activities prepared me for the graded work. |
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | No Basis for Rating |
| | 5 | 5 | 5 | |
| | 33% | 33% | 33% | |
| The intended learning outcomes were assessed through my graded work. |
| Strongly Disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly Agree | No Basis for Rating |
| | 3 | 8 | 4 | |
| | 20% | 53% | 27% | |
| The course workload demands were... |
| Very Low | Low | Average | High | Very High | No Basis for Rating |
| 2 | 11 | 2 | | |
| 13% | 73% | 13% | | |
| The instructor(s) helped me to understand the course concepts. |
- [Strongly Agree] Last Among Us
| The instructor(s) stimulated my interest in this course. |
- [Strongly Agree] The dad jokes definitely helped me to stay engaged! :D
Note: This is a complete list of comments I received, listed alphabetically to avoid bias.
| The most important thing I learned in this course was: |
- BASH
- bash scripting, makefile, globbing patterns, regex.
- Becoming comfortable around the command line. Learning how to use git.
- do not use chat gpt
- getting comfortable with the terminal
- how to use vs code
- I learned how to use Vim and Linux which will prepare me for jobs in the future.
- Practical skills for software development
- Shell scriopting in bash and using VS Code
- using terminal and all that stuff
| What helped me to learn in this course was: |
- course notes(or what ever the name is)
- Dave and modules.
- Dave Tompkins is an amazing Lecturer who loves what he does and really cares about his students actually learning the course material, instead of just passing. He understands that to find success in life students must have an understanding of the core concepts to enhance our learning.
- grinding
- Having a mini-lecture before each lab session helped with refreshing the knowledge.
- I thought Dave's mini-lectures were really engaging and I loved the analogies he used to explain concepts.
- IAs
- The helpful instructors
- The instructor's enthusiasm
| What changes, if any, would I suggest for this course? |
- Give more lecture and class time regarding the concepts, with demos and walkthroughs for the concepts. Possibly slower in pace and more clear guidelines on collaboration
- I did not do cheating but because of helping i caught by academic integrity which i think it is not fair
- I personally wasn't the biggest fan of the module format as it felt like a lot of verbose reading at times. However, if the format were to continue, I think adding videos into the modules would be extremely helpful.
- I would prefer if the the classes were a little earlier as my classes was the day before the deadline
- I would suggest providing more resources and examples in the course notes since that is the main method of learning we use. We don't gain additional knowledge in lessons so sometimes we don't know what is going on
- Maybe break up the content on edX more? It's challenging to go through the modules and retain information through multiple paragraphs in a row
- N/A
- None
- outlets + power bars in the classroom for charging laptops.
- Suggest Dave give everyone a coke at the end of class