Engaging, Large-Scale Functional Programming Education in Physical and Virtual Space

TL;DR

This paper discusses strategies and tools for large-scale, engaging functional programming education in both physical and virtual environments, successfully accommodating over 2000 students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Contribution

It introduces scalable methods and automated feedback tools for teaching Haskell-based functional programming to large student cohorts in virtual and physical settings.

Findings

Successful engagement of over 2000 students

Effective automation of feedback for programming and proof exercises

Reusable tools and exercises for educators

Abstract

Worldwide, computer science departments have experienced a dramatic increase in the number of student enrolments. Moreover, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic requires institutions to radically replace the traditional way of on-site teaching, moving interaction from physical to virtual space. We report on our strategies and experience tackling these issues as part of a Haskell-based functional programming and verification course, accommodating over 2000 students in the course of two semesters. Among other things, we fostered engagement with weekly programming competitions and creative homework projects, workshops with industry partners, and collaborative pair-programming tutorials. To offer such an extensive programme to hundreds of students, we automated feedback for programming as well as inductive proof exercises. We explain and share our tools and exercises so that they can be reused by other educators.