I am considering changing the format of the final exam for this semester. In the past, the final exam has been very similar to the midterm exam: Paper & pencil with questions including Short Answer, What's Wrong, What's the Output, and Code It. The only real difference between the final and the midterm was that the use of notes and textbooks were allowed for the final exam.

The other option I am now considering is as follows: On the day of the final, Wednesday, Dec 4, we would divide the class into two adjoining laptop labs. The CS Dept has gotten Troy 2012 and 2018 reserved for us already, just in case we decide to do this. Troy 2012 does have both PCs and laptop jacks, in case anyone doesn't have a laptop. The final exam will be online. It would consist of some number of Short Answer, Correct this Code, and Code It questions. The exam questions will be online, and you would submit your answers on line. This has the added benefit that you would be able to actually compile and run your code before submitting it. For the Code It questions, each program would have 2-4 different 'tasks', much like the homeworks. You would get credit for each task. The caveat is that, since you have access to the Perl interpreter, your code must compile.
The biggest downside of this style of exam is that with fewer questions, each program becomes worth more total points than it would for the paper & pencil exam.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the new format. But I want to first take a poll of the entire class to see which method is more preferred. After I get the results from this poll, I will make a decision and let the class know what the format will be.

If you have any questions regarding either the old or new format, or if you have any suggesetions for modifications or improvement to these formats, please do not hesitate to email me before voting.

Update/Clarifications: There would be fewer questions for two reasons: There would be no Multiple Choice, True/False, or What's the Output questions; second, I would have fewer overall questions because of the extra time I'm assuming it would take to compile, run, and debug each program rather than simply writing it down on paper. (Note that I haven't yet decided how many questions would actually be in each section).
The online exam would still be open book, open notes. You would also have access to any and all websites (including the course website and perl.com).

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