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A
parallel programming example is helpful when presented with the
programming assignments. This provides students a framework to better
understand the complex ideas found in a programming course. The
parallel example should closely resemble the one being developed in the
programming assignments. First, the example program and a voice-over
animation is provided to cover the primary concepts. Software design
discussion is promoted by the instructor asking meaningful questions on
the discussion board. The problems encountered in the parallel program
map to the problems encountered in the programming assignments.
To prevent cheating, students should be given
clear instructions not to use source code from their
programming assignments, but to provide similar examples from the
parallel program provided by the instructor. Students should be
encouraged to discuss the design and implementation issues of their
program - not provide a solution to programming problems via source
code. In some cases, students will make mistakes and post exact
solutions. Instructors should monitor the discussion activity at
all times. Of course, it is the instructor's prerogative as to
the degree of flexibility in following the suggested discussion
protocol.
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