Quality despite quantity — Teaching large heterogenous classes in C programming and fundamentals in computer science

Teaching large classes with about 1500 freshmen of mechanical engineering in modeling automata, model driven approaches and C-programming is a challenge for every university lecturer. Since effective learning requires feedback and interaction, e.g. approval of program correctness, hints for improvement etc., a web-based system called PIT (Prüfungssystem Informationstechnik, engl. examination tool of information technology) has been developed and introduced in 2010. Students homework and tests during the semester are done interactively with PIT, giving tutors the time to assist students and not only to review their homework and tests. Hence, there are two substantial benefits: A more effective education and support for the students and a reduction of the costs for the institute. Over the past few years, PIT has been extended regularly. In 2012 the addition of a new plant programming exam was done with great effort. In the summer semester of 2013 the new exam was obligatory for the students for the first time. Altogether, every student had to do three e-learning exams, one plant programming exam and finally one written exam. A detailed evaluation of the exams showed a great improvement of performance by female compared to male students and the benefits of the new plant programming exam which are presented in this paper.