We know that you are working hard on completing your assignments and that this work forms the primary mechanism for learning and mastering concepts in CS106B. If, after completing an assignment, you have a solid and confident understanding of how and why your code works, you are on the right track toward a deep understanding of CS106B's core concepts! Since assignments focus on specific topics throughout the course progression, it can be valuable to have additional summative opportunities to assess your learning and receive feedback on your progress.
To adapt to the online learning format being used, we want you to have the opportunity for assessment but with lower stakes and less stress than a traditional exam format would have. Therefore, we are going to experiment with a different format for assessments: a low-stakes mid-quarter diagnostic and a creative end-quarter personal project you develop and present your own final exam or section problem.
These assessments will feature opportunities for feedback, check-ins, and self reflection, as well as interactive discussion with your section leader. This interactive discussion allows two-way communication where you can demonstrate what you've learned and respond to questions from your section leader.
We will have more information about these assessments as the quarter progresses. Our primary focus is to take advantage of the virtual learning environment to create assessments that will allow you to demonstrate what you’ve learned in the class rather than testing you under strict time constraints as in a traditional exam. If you have any concerns about the assessment structure, please feel free to reach out to the course staff.
Mid-Quarter Diagnostic
The mid-quarter diagnostic will be a short, loosely-timed online assessment that will allow students to demonstrate their understanding of the core, fundamental topics from the first half of CS106B. The diagnostic will be available for students to complete between the end of lecture on July 21 and the start of lecture on July 23.
More details on the mid-quarter diagnostic.
End-Quarter Personal Project
For your personal project, you will design an exam/section problem on a topic of your choice. The project will give you the opportunity to check in with instructors and/or your section leader for feedback while developing a solution to a problem that you get to motivate and develop. You will present and teach the problem in a 1-on-1 meeting at the end of the quarter.
Completed problem writeups will be due on August 22 and final presentations will take place from August 25 to August 27.
Further details regarding the personal project (including sample problems, rubrics, and milestones) will be published during Week 6.