The lab-centric approach emphasizes hands-on, interactive activities in supervised settings while de-emphasizing lecture. We'll present our research and experience teaching programming courses using this approach at UC Berkeley, and give you a chance to try the class activities yourself.

In a lab-centric class, students engage in a myriad of beneficial pedagogical practices, including embedded assessments and collaborative activities while receiving frequent feedback, as they work through online materials. This approach promises a myriad of benefits for community colleges, including better student outcomes on learning, retention, and transfer to four-year college; development of skills for industry; easier integration of novice instructors; and a more learner-centered focus that can better accommodate diverse learners.

We will present the results of research done on the effectiveness of this lab-centric approach with undergraduate CS courses at the University of California at Berkeley, and share what we've learned and how it works in practice. Then we'll give you a taste of the experience of a student in a lab-centric class - showing you how the activities are structured, etc. and giving you a little time to work through some sample activities.

Craig Persiko, Instructor, City College of SF

Michael Clancy, Senior Lecturer, Computer Science Division, UC Berkeley

Dr. Nathaniel Titterton: Research Specialist, EECS Dept. at UC Berkeley