Recommendations for using git in the classroom at UWB

In this project, we work to configure a GitHub Classroom assignment for a CSS 142 programming course. We configured this demo assignment with the following features:

• Compilation checks on each push event using GitHub Actions
• Line length checks (80 chars max) using GitHub Actions
• Autograding student work using a GitHub Action designed specifically for GitHub Classroom

The work here, as of June 2020, is a simple demonstration of how the GitHub Classroom platform can be leveraged to provide immediate, actionable feedback to students about code and documentation quality. Future work on this project might include:

• Refining autograding tests so that they provide meaningful output for students; with this, students will more easily understand why test cases are failing and what those test cases are actually testing.
• Include more style-oriented actions, such as looking for JavaDoc comments in each class or method, consistent indentation practices, and resolving TODO comments in the code files.
• Developing individual lessons for laboratory classes which focus on git usage and development environment setup so that students are better prepared for success in the classroom.

Faculty Guide to Incorporating GitHub Classroom

Student Guide to Getting Started with git

Explore the Example Repository or Try It Yourself

Short Video Series Demonstrating Example Repository