Early Experiences with Computer Supported Collaborative Dialogue for a 2nd Semester Java Class

This paper reports on two semesters experience with computer-mediated group discussion exercises in a CS2 computer programming class. The class is a gateway for computer science and computer engineering students, where many students have difficulty succeeding well enough to proceed in their major. The exercises focus on Java concepts. They are designed to require students to rely on each other, but also be individually accountable. Learning gains measured in this trial have been mixed, with the least prepared student (as measured by pretest) in each discussion group showing the highest learning gains, while best prepared student in the discussion group showed score reductions on average. This paper reports on first year results of learning gains and of surveys of student experience with the exercises.