Web-based Instruction for Science and Engineering*

The goal of this work is to develop a system for web-based science and engineering instruction, and use it to develop innovative curricula. Initially we are targeting introductory programming courses in EECS at UC Berkeley, which will in turn be made available to UC Merced and as part of a new common freshman engineering curriculum being developed at UC Berkeley.
Two years ago, the UC-WISE group was formed to create an innovative approach to computer science instruction that leveraged the strengths of information technology and current research in education. Building on the existing WISE research program from the Graduate School of Education, we sought to address the needs of higher education in science and engineering. The UC-WISE team included educational researchers, computer science instructors, and technology specialists. Funded by the CITRIS project, we have developed a system that delivers content and functionality via the Internet, supporting instructors to interact in new ways with their students.
The University of California Web-based Instruction for Science and Engineering (UCWISE) system provides a powerful alternative to conventional instruction (i.e., lectures and homework) in the form of a Web-based system that enables students to come to class every day and use computers productively in computer science courses.
This system provides new functionality for computer programming activities, collaborative design activities, peer review and discussions, brainstorming, and many other new ways to learn. Students follow a clear curriculum and syllabus provided through a conventional learning management system. Instructors interact with their students in a tutorial style, allowing them to monitor student understanding in the classroom and help students learn during class activities.
UC-WISE includes four major software components:
(1) the Course Builder, which enables curriculum development;
(2) the Course Portal, which serves as a conventional learning management system;
(3) the student learning environment, which provides all the new information technology
features; and
(4) the Curriculum Customizer, to enable remote instructors to adopt and adapt UCWISE for their own courses.
The UC-WISE system has now been successfully deployed in the CS 3 introductory programming course at UC Berkeley. Piloted in summer '02, and again in fall '02, it is currently (spring '03) being used for a large class with eight sections of undergraduates. The sections below review our implementation of CS 3, including some evaluations which reveal that students are covering material more quickly than in traditional courses, and learning from that material as well as or better than in traditional courses.
*This project is not officially supported through CITRIS funds, but the faculty and topical affiliations are sufficiently strong that it is listed here for referral and convenience.