Computer-assisted instruction for a first course in computer science

The promise of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) was recognized long ago, but CAI is not widely used in college-level science and engineering curricula. Standup lectures remain the method of choice for delivering classroom instruction. In this paper, we describe an educational software package called ALECS (A Learning Environment for Computer Science). ALECS has been used in a first-semester computer science course to dramatically reduce the time devoted to standup lectures, which gives the instructor more time for tutoring. ALECS provides assistance in three areas: instruction, feedback and student tracking. We describe each of these areas and the changes ALECS enables in the structure of our courses and in the classroom.