===Formatting Resources===
[http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Wikitext_examples Formatting Help Guide from MetaWiki]

==Understanding Binary Trees==

Binary Trees are a new concept and it is important to have a solid understanding of binary trees and how to traverse them before moving onto binary search trees.

===The problem===

You are given a stack of circles having either a letter or a number in the center of each. You have no knowledge of how to order them.
The professor will give you a list of numbers and a list of letters. Depending upon which stack type you are given, you have must order them properly.
You have 2 minutes to do so.

===Participants and props===

There will be 4 groups of 3 at the front of the room. The activity is timed.

You will be given a stack of circles with velcro backing.
One stack will have a single letter on each circle. The letter stacks will be given to 2 groups.
One stack will have a single number on each circle. The number stacks will be given to the remaining 2 groups.

===The script===

You are pitted against a classmate on the opposing team and the object is to order the given list of letters and numbers.
One of the three ways of traversal, Preorder Traversal, Inorder Traversal, and Postorder Traversal, will be given and you must order the circles as quickly as possible. The exercise is repeated for the other 2 members of the group, one using Inorder traversal, and the other using Postorder traversal.
Times for each of the 3 runs are tallied, and the winners get 1 bonus point on the next test.

The point of this exercise is not to be told what each of the 3 traversal types are. Mistakes and confusion are expected and this is important because the exercise to be discussed with the class and each person can see if their guess on how to do it worked.

CSC 216/s08/make plans

2008-04-15T22:50:44Z

Tgallen: /* The problem */

===Formatting Resources===
[http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Wikitext_examples Formatting Help Guide from MetaWiki]

==Understanding Binary Trees==

Binary Trees are a new concept and it is important to have a solid understanding of binary trees and how to traverse them before moving onto binary search trees.

===The problem===

You are given a stack of circles having either a letter or a number in the center of each. You have no knowledge of how to order them.
The professor will give you a list of either numbers or letters.
You have 2 minutes to order them properly.

===Participants and props===

There will be 4 groups of 3 at the front of the room. The activity is timed.

You will be given a stack of circles with velcro backing.
One stack will have a single letter on each circle. The letter stacks will be given to 2 groups.
One stack will have a single number on each circle. The number stacks will be given to the remaining 2 groups.

You are pitted against a classmate on the opposing team and the object is to order the given list of letters and numbers.
One of the three ways of traversal, Preorder Traversal, Inorder Traversal, and Postorder Traversal, will be given and you must order the circles as quickly as possible. The exercise is repeated for the other 2 members of the group, one using Inorder traversal, and the other using Postorder traversal.
Times for each of the 3 runs are tallied, and the winners get 1 bonus point on the next test.

The point of this exercise is not to be told what each of the 3 traversal types are. Mistakes and confusion are expected and this is important because the exercise to be discussed with the class and each person can see if their guess on how to do it worked.
===The script===

Describe how to do your exercise.

CSC 216/s08/make plans

2008-04-15T22:47:58Z

Tgallen: /* Understanding Binary Trees */

CSC 216/s08/make plans

2008-04-15T22:45:59Z

Tgallen: /* The problem */

===Formatting Resources===
[http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Wikitext_examples Formatting Help Guide from MetaWiki]

==Understanding Binary Trees==

Binary Trees are a new concept and it is important to have a solid understanding of binary trees and how to traverse them before moving onto binary search trees.

===The problem===

We are given a row of letters and have no knowledge of how to order those letters. Likewise, we are given a row of numbers and asked to do the same thing.

There will be 4 groups of 3 at the front of the room. The activity is timed. You have 2 minutes to order the given lists.

You will be given a stack of circles with velcro backing.
One stack will have a single letter on each circle. The letter stacks will be given to 2 groups.
One stack will have a single number on each circle. The number stacks will be given to the remaining 2 groups.

You are pitted against a classmate on the opposing team and the object is to order the given list of letters and numbers.
One of the three ways of traversal, Preorder Traversal, Inorder Traversal, and Postorder Traversal, will be given and you must order the circles as quickly as possible. The exercise is repeated for the other 2 members of the group, one using Inorder traversal, and the other using Postorder traversal.
Times for each of the 3 runs are tallied, and the winners get 1 bonus point on the next test.

The point of this exercise is not to be told what each of the 3 traversal types are. Mistakes and confusion are expected and this is important because the exercise to be discussed with the class and each person can see if their guess on how to do it worked.

===Participants and props===

How many students will participate? What else do you need (e.g., old tennis ball, Powerpoint slides, software).

===The script===

Describe how to do your exercise.

2008-04-15T22:30:25Z

Tgallen: /* The problem */

2008-03-23T06:07:00Z

Tgallen: /* The problem */

===Formatting Resources===
[http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Wikitext_examples Formatting Help Guide from MetaWiki]

==What is Polymorphism?==

===The problem===

Describe what you are attempting to teach students by this exercise.
Polymorphism is derived from Greek, meaning "many forms". Therefore, in Java, polymorphism is using a super class variable to refer to a subclass object, the "many forms" of the super class variable. It is useful because interfaces and inheritance to be used more abstractly.
A game loosely based on "Let's Make A Deal" would be played.
2 teams would see a walk-through of 1 person going through the motions of choosing 1 of 4 doors and seeing what's behind each of the doors.
Behind each door would be an animal. Each animal would have maybe 2 methods, such as talk() or daySleeper().
A follow up of the exercise would be that each team would be given lines of code to order correctly (from the exercise)....or.....each team would attempt to write the code in order to make the walk-through work in a specified/requested fashion from the Powerpoint slide listed on the overhead. For example: Make an animal that is a carnivore, talk.

===Participants and props===

The whole class would participate and be divided into 2 teams.

5 students would participate in the front of the class.
Teams would be vying for "the prize". Incentive might be a victory trophy (cans of soda, candy bars, 1 extra point on the exam or homework).

Props would 8.5" x 11" paper with writing on it.
4 students would be each be holding 3 pieces of paper: 1 with a number on the "door" and another with code on it. The code would be hidden behind the "door numbered" piece of paper. The code would list the animal type. The last piece of paper would be a method.

What else do you need (e.g., old tennis ball, Powerpoint slides, software).
There may be a Powerpoint slide still up on the screen with the rules listed as a reminder.

===The script===

Describe how to do your exercise.

CSC 216/s08/strive for happiness

2008-03-23T06:01:41Z

Tgallen: /* Place Title of Exercise Here */

===Formatting Resources===
[http://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Help:Wikitext_examples Formatting Help Guide from MetaWiki]

==What is Polymorphism?==

===The problem===

Describe what you are attempting to teach students by this exercise.
Polymorphism is derived from Greek, meaning "many forms". Therefore, in Java, polymorphism is using a super class variable to refer to a subclass object, the "many forms" of the super class variable. It is useful because interfaces and inheritance to be used more abstractly.
A game of "Let's Make A Deal" would be played.
2 teams would see a walk-through of 1 person going through the motions of choosing a door and seeing what's behind each of the doors.
Then each team would be given lines of code to order correctly....or.....each team would attempt to write the code in order to make the walk-through work in a specified/requested fashion from the Powerpoint slide listed on the overhead.

===Participants and props===

The whole class would participate and be divided into 2 teams.

5 students would participate in the front of the class.
Teams would be vying for "the prize". Incentive might be a victory trophy (cans of soda, candy bars, 1 extra point on the exam or homework).

Props would 8.5" x 11" paper with writing on it.
4 students would be each be holding 3 pieces of paper: 1 with a number on the "door" and another with code on it. The code would be hidden behind the "door numbered" piece of paper. The code would list the animal type. The last piece of paper would be a method.

What else do you need (e.g., old tennis ball, Powerpoint slides, software).
There may be a Powerpoint slide still up on the screen with the rules listed as a reminder.

===The script===

Describe how to do your exercise.