SURF Mentoring

Potential projects/topics: Dr. Schreib’s research interests lie in designing tools and techniques for providing personalized and interactive learning experiences within large introductory computer science courses, with a primary goal of leveraging technology to address the challenges of scale posed by recent increases in enrollment in computer science programs. She is particularly interested in identifying foundational computer science topics that students find challenging and building software designed to interactively teach these concepts using a combination of guided practice and feedback. Dr. Schreib’s research projects typically involve 1) using full-stack software development to build a pedagogical tool, 2) deploying that tool within a controlled study in a course at Rice, and 3) analyzing its effectiveness in improving student learning outcomes.

Potential skills gained: Depending on the project, students will gain experience with frontend, backend, or full-stack software development. Students working on frontend projects will primarily learn how to use JavaScript to implement an interactive web-based user interface, and will also learn the basics of HTML and CSS. Students working on backend projects will gain experience using Java to accomplish a variety of different project-specific tasks, and may also gain experience with the Spring framework and basic SQL.

Required qualifications: Ideally, students will have completed COMP 215. Some projects may be suitable for students who have completed COMP 182 but not COMP 215.

Direct mentor: Faculty/P.I.

Student Project Titles List

How can peer evaluation be utilized to develop a tool that enhances students’ program design proficiency while enabling accurate and efficient assessment of their design skills?

Java Memory Tool and its Effectiveness