Exploring the limits of what computers can do

Welcome to CS46, distance learning edition.

We will attempt to continue the course after spring break, at a distance. The goal is not to fully simulate the on-campus experience, but to make sure that you complete the course having covered the major topics that still remained on the syllabus. And also remain healthy.

This page lists details of how each part of class will work, as well as a brief explanation of our Slack and an FAQ.

Lectures

Lectures will be broadcast live on YouTube Zoom meetings; the link will be in the course calendar and sent on Slack. You should participate live, if you can. The video will be available afterwards, so if you cannot watch live, you can watch later.

Lecture questions, labs, office hours

We will be using Slack for real-time interactions like clicker questions, office hours, and small discussion groups in class and lab. (Update: Zoom handles small-group discussions during lectures.)

Quizzes, midterm, final

Quizzes are available on Gradescope. They are normal and low-stakes like the ones we were taking in-person before spring break. Once you start each quiz, you have 30 minutes to complete it; you can type your answers in the text boxes, or write them on paper and upload photos/scans. It is open-book, open-notes; you should complete the quiz alone. If this system works, it is likely that we will do our second midterm exam using Gradescope. This system was middle-effective for timed tests but added more stress than it gave value in opportunities to demonstrate what you've learned; that, combined with the mandatory CR/NC for spring 2020, means that we won't have a final exam.

Homework

This will continue as usual. Homework is distributed and collected through Git; you can work locally on your computer, or ssh to cs.swarthmore.edu to work on the lab computers. Every homework team will have a private Slack channel for questions. You can, as always, pick your homework partner or work alone.

Textbook readings

I will scan these and post them on the course site. The textbook publisher is also offering free access to their textbooks online (login required; I have not finished testing this).

Expectations

You are expected to continue to complete readings and homework assignments. You should also attend lecture and lab in real time, if you can. Please contact me if you are not able to participate in real time, so that I can find alternate ways to connect with you and help you learn.

Grading

I know that managing a full-time student schedule on top of full-time living in a crisis is difficult. We will try to stick with our usual deadlines in this class, but if you will have trouble with a deadline, please reach out to me so we can figure out an alternative for you. I am proceeding under a banner of kindness and understanding; my ultimate goal, as always, is that everyone should pass this class.

FAQ

This FAQ will be updated as questions arise.
  • What should I do if I don't have a good enough internet connection to watch live/participate?
    Please contact me so that I can find alternate ways to connect with you and help you learn. I want you to be able to access this course and learn this content! Lecture videos will be archived and viewable later.
  • I didn't pick up my quiz/midterm before break. How can I find out how I did?
    Email me, I will find the paper copy and send you a digital scan.
  • Can I repeat the same homework partner?
    Yes, the limit on repeated partnerships is lifted. You may repeat the same homework partner any number of times, if your partner is willing.
  • I have a question that is not specific to CS46.
    Try the Swarthmore COVID-19 information page, maybe? Or go ahead and just ask Lila directly, she will do her best to help.

Slack

You have been added to the official Slack organization for CS46. If you are having trouble joining, email Lila.
Slack will be the place where we recreate some spontaneous in-person interaction.

Slack is a workspace for group discussion, questions, and real-time interactions. It is broken up into channels, each of which is dedicated to a particular topic.

Slack channels

  • #lecture-qs is for real-time lecture questions and clicker questions. It will be very active during lectures, and probably quiet at other times.
  • #office-hours is for office hours. If you have a question, you can post "I have a question" in this channel. The channel is a queue, so I will answer questions in the order they are asked. Once a question has been answered, I will add a check mark (✔).
  • #discuss-[spice] is a private channel for you to have small group discussions during lecture and labs. Update: I am still figuring out how best to have lab groups meet and will have a tentative plan for us to try on Monday, March 23.
  • #social-chat is a social gathering spot! I encourage you to continue social interaction with other students, as being part of a community of scientists is an important aspect of studying and learning (and working!) in computer science. This channel is for whatever you want to post or discuss.
  • You can also direct message me (@lila) to ask a question in a private channel that only you and I can see.
Note that Slack has a limit (10k) of searchable messages, so older posts may be deleted. You should locally save any questions or discussions you want for posterity.

Accessibility and settings

To access Slack's accessibility settings, click the workspace name (CS46-S20) in the top of the navigation pane on the desktop/web interface; from the dropdown menu choose "Preferences" then "Accessibility". You can opt out if you are sensitive to animated images, as well as find the options for non-mouse navigation. Let me know if you need some setting which you cannot find.

Conclusion

Please let me know if there is something I can do differently to support you and your learning, and please be patient as we all adjust to a completely different way of doing things!

Everything is a disorganized scramble right now. We are all by default a little anxious and stressed, in unexpected situations and trying our best to cope. Be kind to yourself and others. If you are having trouble, please ask for help; if something isn't working, please ask for help; if you just need a happy GIF to distract you, please ask.