Teaching Data Processing Techniques at the University General Education Level

Abstract

This paper presents a system for teaching data (information) processing to large numbers of students as a general education level university course. Actual application of this system, involving 500 students of the general education section at Hokkaido University, showed it to be effective. The aims of the course were to develop in the students a "broad view of information" as well as to help them acquire computer data processing techniques. The primary features of the system are : (1) Lectures are given to all the students simultaneously but practical exercises are done in small groups of about thirty students each. (2) Since the time available for the lectures is limited, no specific computer programming languages are introduced during them; this permits enriching other aspects of the course. (3) The students study computer languages by viewing videotapes on their own. The course is controlled by HIPECS (Hokkaido University Information Procesessing Educational Control System) which was designed specifically for this purpose. The primary functions of HIPECS are twofold : to accumulate information on the use of the system and to control the students'progress through the course by using this information, plus other data. An analysis of the results of using this system showed that it is educationally effective. This paper also includes a discussion of the data obtained through the application of HIPECS as well as an outline of the primary featur.es of the system.