ECOOP / Tutorial 12

3,000 Students Later: How to Teach OOA/D, OOP, and Patterns

Abstract

Designing with objects is challenging; effectively teaching others is even tougher. Since 1986 I’ve had the good fortune to teach around 3,000 students (in industry and colleges) of OOA/D, OOP, and patterns, and have reflected on, and experimented with many learning methods and curriculums—both poor and good—to help people master this subtle art. Much material on learning OOA/D emphasizes static class modeling. Then when it comes time to discuss the detailed dynamic design of object responsibilities and collaborations, there is hand-waving or a minimal discussion, or the detailed object interactions are presented as a “fait accompli,” as though it trivial once classes have been identified. Yet, nothing could be further from the truth for the novice. Thus, in this tutorial you will learn the key techniques related to OOA/D, OOP, and patterns that I’ve refined over the years to help novices, such as how to teach the GRASP patterns. And I’ll share a set of more general but powerful pedagogical patterns, such as buzz groups and inspection espionage. Topics include:

• Anthony’s Education Patterns
• Larman’s General Education Patterns
• Larman’s OT-Specific Education Patterns
• how to use and teach the GRASP patterns for responsibility assignment
• what is the connection between analysis, design, and code artifacts, and how to teach this
• what are the most important GoF design patterns to teach, and how
• other fundamental principles to stress in introductory object design curriculum
• how not to teach OOA&D (and thus, what would constitute a poor course)
• how teach object-oriented programming: best and worst practices
• the kinds of exercises and problems—both individual and collective—that help comprehension and retention

Presenter Profile

Craig Larman

Craig Larman is an internationally recognized expert in OOA/D, and the author of Applying UML and Patterns: An Introduction to OOA/D, the world’s best selling university and business text—translated to many languages—for the subject. He serves as Chief Scientist for Valtech, and holds a B.Sc. and M.Sc. in computer science.
He has been teaching this subject in both industry and college since 1986, has personally taught thousands, served as technical director for an object technology education division, and coached many educators. His hands-on OOA/D course, “Craig Larman’s Applying UML and Patterns” has evolved through many generations, based on massive feedback by both thousands of students, and dozens of teachers.
In addition, while serving as a novice college teacher many lifetimes ago, Craig had the good fortune to be required to attend a 5-day course on teaching methods and adult education principles, which has informed his education methods.

Details

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