Outline
The task for each group is to prepare a set of web pages about a particular programming language. Each group will be given a different language to research and the starting point may be the name of the language or a key text. The group may use (but must acknowledge) whatever resources it finds to establish:
- the scope of the language
- where it fits in the space of programming languages
- what influenced its design and what languages it has influenced
- the primary application domains
- an objective assessment of its strengths, weaknesses
- its overall contribution to programming language design
- a review of the key text, where given
Attention is drawn both to the University and Departmental policies on plagiarism, while at the same time acknowledging that it is an essential part of an exercise such as this to have to quote as well as cite the work of others.
The emphasis in this coursework is on the content of the web pages produced not the form. A clean, simple, informational structure is required. It should also be clear that it is expected that the group will author a significant amount of text which by turns synthesizes, summarises and evaluates source material, combined with the appropriate hyperlinks. The assessment of a submission containing a high proportion of URLs to original text will not normally exceed the threshold score. You may not assume that either Java or Javascript is enabled or the availability of Flash or other such visual distractions. However, in-line .gifs may be useful in some circumstances.
Objectives
At the end of this coursework you will be able to:
- work in groups
- analyse the properties of a programming language
- assess the suitability of a language for application domains
- evaluate the properties of a programming language
- place the language in context with respect to other programming languages
- make a judgement about legitimate re-use of others' work
Assessment
The coursework is marked out of 100 (accounting for 25% of the unit score), broken down as follows:
- up to 15% is awarded for the quality of your group's assessment of the work of three other groups.
- up to 20% is awarded as a result of the assessment of your work by other groups
- up to 65% is awarded by the unit lecturer.
At the end of the project each group must fill in a Group Questionnaire, which must be signed by all members of the group. The Group Questionnaire must be handed in with the coursework. The questionnaire allows the members of the group to indicate their percentage effort in the project, and provides a group view of the mark each group member should receive. Each group member must also fill in a confidential Personal Questionnaire, describing his/her individual view of how s/he worked during the project. If necessary, the project markers will use the information in the Group and Personal Questionnaires, along with the submitted coursework, to adjust an individual's marks, to give their final mark for the coursework.
The following assessment guidelines are given so that you are aware of what may typically be expected of your submissions:
-
Excellent. The deliverable reaches the standard of a good submission. In addition, the materials demonstrate a sound understanding of the topic assigned coupled with a detailed response to each of the requirements. There is significant evidence of background material and assessment of it.
-
Good. The coursework specification is understood. Evidence of the identification of moderate range background material sources is shown. Each of the requirements has been met and an adequate response given. There is fair evidence of engagement with the topic and reflection about it and what has been produced.
-
Threshold. The students started to develop the coursework specification to suit their own skills and understanding. There is some attempt to meet each of the stated the requirements, some evidence of the use of a little material found as the result of research and a little reflection on what has been produced.
Group mappings
The assignment of groups for assessment is as follows:
- A (): B, E, J
- B (): C, F, K
- C (): D, G, L
- D (): E, H, A
- E (): F, I, B
- F (): G, J, C
- G (Self): H, K, D
- H (): I, L, E
- I (): J, A, F
- J (): K, B, G
- K (): L, C, H
- L (): A, D, I
That is, group A is required to assess the work of groups B, E, J, etc..
Each group must make its website available for access by other users from 20030512. Conversely, groups are recommended NOT to enable general access before this date. Any access problems are to be reported immediately both to the unit lecturer and to the members of the group whose site is unreadable. Submissions with no evaluation of a site, claiming it was inaccessible, will receive a mark of zero.
The assessment of each of the other group's work assigned to you should consider how well each of the requirements has been met and take into account the assessment criteria given on the published coursework. The assessment should be no more than 1 page of A4 and must include a mark out of 10.
Submission
Each group must submit, by 20030520 @ 16:00, spiral bound as a single document with coloured sheets to separate the sections:
- a short overview (max 1 page) including the base URL of the website
- a print out of the pages on the website
- reports on the websites of three other groups
- individual personal reports
Timetable
- 20030310 - coursework published
- 20030520 @ 16:00 - submission due at departmental office
Distribution
Following submission, each set of web pages must left available both for assessment and for access by all students registered for the unit. Links will be created from the unit web pages. The unseen examination will include questions based on this material.
Julian Padget,