Zybook Code

[Desmond Hutchins]

Thiscourse(CSCI 3355: Advanced Internet Technologies and Web Programming) has an associated zyBook (Web Programming with zyLabs), which is a required online text available from learn.zybooks.com. Among its features is the fact that it is very interactive and gives excellent immediate feedback as you are working through the activities and labs, and automatically records the points you accumulate by doing the assigned exercises.

Note that you must use your Saint Mary's University e-mail address, which ends with smu.ca, to register for the course text. That is, you may be able to use any email to sign up for a zyBooks account, but you will need your SMU email address to register for the text for this course.

The zyBook's earlier sections can be used as an excellent review of HTML, CSS and JavaScript. The later sections of the zyBook contain sections on material to be covered in CSCI 3355 (more JavaScript, Regular Expressions, AJAX, JSON, the NoSQL database management system MongoDB, PHP, the relational database management system MySQL). Note that a significant portion of your grade for the course will be based on your completion of the assigned activities and labs from the zyBook.

We will also be covering material in class that is not included in the zyBook, and the order in which we will cover material that does appear in the zyBook will not be the same as the order of that material in the zyBook.

zyBooks offers custom, high-production-value interactive elements and animated examples throughout the material, emphasizing "less text and more action." zyBooks include code editors and other interactive tools that engage students within the content, helping them internalize complex concepts.

As an add-on to a zyBook, instructors can enable zyLabs, a program assignment auto-grader, which provides more functionality than the standard zyBooks code editor. Instructors can create their own zyLabs to integrate with a zyBook or can use preconfigured zyLabs.

Both zyBooks and Codio offer a variety of STEM content, primarily focused on Computer Science courses. When considering online resources for learning, many learners find themselves comparing zyBooks vs CBooks.

Instructors using Codio can bundle pages of content into assignments and modules that make up a course. Instructors can keep their content private or publish it publicly for other Codio instructors to use. Instructors can also choose to make their materials available for colleagues who are members of a Codio organization.

This is especially helpful for introductory computing courses without prerequisites and diverse student backgrounds as it allows instructors to pull in a range of materials from our accessible for beginners in-house content to more dense OER textbooks.

zyBooks also allows students to submit summative coding assignments when zyLabs are added on for an additional cost. This feature enables instructors to auto-grade based on Input/Output cases and unit testing. While this functionality saves instructors time, students have expressed frustration with zyLabs.

Codio emphasizes a "learn-by-doing" approach, and supports many kinds of formative assessment types such as multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, and short answer. In addition, instructors can use multiple auto-graded assessment types and have a library of hundreds of editable (also auto-graded) assessments available to them, including Parsons Puzzles (drag and drop to reorder code segments), Input/Output code assessments, and advanced code assessments ranging from unit tests and style checkers to custom scripts. The video below demonstrates the hands-on student experience in Codio:

zyBooks is expensive because of its pricing structure. Its prices itself based on each title, however, it does offer some discounts for students. Even with this discount, the cost depends on the content learners need to access.

zyBooks has a simple plagiarism detection feature called the "similarity checker" that can assist in identifying any similarities among program submissions from students in a class. This feature aims to promote academic integrity by highlighting any potential similarities between assignments, ensuring fairness and the opportunity for each student to demonstrate their individual abilities.

ZyBooks provides an interactive learning, which can be beneficial for a subject like coding that is hands-on. When it comes to learning coding, platforms like zyBooks provide immediate feedback. This real-time feedback can greatly enhance the learning experience and help you progress more quickly in your coding journey. However, other platforms like Codio offer a better learner user experience at a more affordable price.

zyBooks incorporates interactive activities and instant feedback into the learning process. Learners can work at their own pace, revisiting exercises when they need to. Being a digital platform has its advantages, especially when it comes to keeping up with evolving subjects in programming and coding.

Codio provides learners with a much more user-friendly and fluid workflow to learn coding. Learning materials, content, activities, and assignments can be customized by instructors to meet their needs. Advanced tools like the code playback feature and student insights give instructors more control to help learners excel.

Structured computer programming using a modern high-level programming language. Includes console I/O, data types, variables, control structures, including iteration, arrays, function definitions and calls, parameter passing, functional decomposition, and an introduction to objects. Debugging techniques.

Note: This course is for students who intend to major in Computer Science, Mathematics, Computer Graphics and Imaging, or the sciences. Some previous computer programming experience is recommended. Not intended for students in Accounting or Computer Information Systems; the technical content is the same as CIS 166 but the emphasis is different.

All your assignments: P&C, Homework and Projects are submitted through your zyBooks. All assignments have strict due dates. Late submissions are NEVER accepted. All assignments allow for unlimited attempts to submit via zyBooks prior to the deadline.

Students are expected to attend the lecture and participate in the associated lab section. Students are expected to learn the material covered in the lecture, the lab, and the textbook as well as any other assigned reading or exercises. Students are expected to actively participate in the slack communication channel and regularly check for messages or announcements. Students are expected to complete homework as an essential part of the learning experience. Students should review topics from prior courses as needed using old notes and books. All work must be your own.

You are encouraged to discuss the overall design of programs and homework. However, all work must be your own for all programs and homework assignments. Any sources used in the completion of your assignment must be explicitly quoted. You are responsible for knowing and following Lehman's academic integrity code (available from the Undergraduate Bulletin, Graduate Bulletin, Office of Academic Standards and Evaluations, or the Smart Catalog). All incidents of cheating will be reported to the Vice President of Student Affairs.

You must complete all your homework assignments, projects, labs, and exams individually. This presents the best way to learn and absorb the material. Feel free to consult the textbook, the instructor, and the CS Tutoring Lab to help you solve problems.

You are allowed to discuss problems with classmates, but only in general terms, and you must specifically avoid discussing any solutions. If we find you plagiarizing and cheating, we will not accept "I didn't know" as an excuse.

You must also resist the urge to copy code from the web. Therefore, students in this course may not use any websites that enable cheating, such as by uploading or downloading material for this purpose. Use of these websites including uploading proprietary materials constitutes a violation of the academic integrity policy. Here are some of the websites you should avoid copying code from:

In the past, students have created their own digital communication channels. While students may use digital communication tools such as WhatsApp, Discord, GroupMe, Slack, CircleIn App, Telegram, WeChat, etc. to communicate with fellow students. It is crucial to remember that academic integrity policies still apply in these environments. Providing information to others about the contents of examinations or quizzes is prohibited, as is receiving unauthorized information about examinations, projects or assignments. Also, sharing of homework, exam, or project solutions is strictly prohibited. Students are expected and required to immediately report instances of such violations to the instructor.

We will be communicating with you on a regular basis throughout the semester using slack. Occasional emails will also be sent out via CUNYFirst or Blackboard to the email address you provided. You must check for messages on a regular basis. There will be no acceptable excuse for missing an announcement.

Programming problems are due most weeks. Problems will be in your online textbook. These programming problems reinforce concepts covered in class. To receive full credit for a program, it must be completed by the specified due date and the program must perform correctly as per the assignment specifications and zyBooks test cases.

Late submissions are NOT accepted.

Unlimited attempts to submit via zyBooks are permitted prior to the deadline.

The submission with the highest grade will count as your grade for the assignment.

ONLY submissions via zyBooks will be accepted and scored via the automated test cases.

Part of this course will use university computer laboratories. These machines are for work related to this course only and a code of conduct applies to computer use in the department and on-campus. Misusing university computers could result in losing your computer access for the rest of the term, making it exceedingly difficult to complete this course.

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