Parallel Programming Applied Research Projects for Teaching Parallel Programming to Beginner Students

Abstract: In this paper, we discuss the educational value of a few mid-size and one large applied research projects at the Computer Science Department of Okanagan College (OC) and at the Universities of Paris East Creteil (LACL) and Orleans (LIFO) in France. We found, that some freshmen students are very active and eager to be involved in applied research projects starting from the second semester. They are actively participating in programming competitions and want to be involved in applied research projects to compete with sophomore and older students. Our observation is based on five NSERC Engage College and Applied Research and Development (ARD) grants, and several small applied projects. Student involvement in applied research is a key motivation and success factor in our activities, but we are also involved in transferring some results of applied research, namely programming techniques, into the parallel programming courses for beginners at the senior- and first-year MSc levels. We illustrate this feedback process with programming notions for beginners, practical tools to acquire them and the overall success/failure of students as experienced for more than 10 years in our French University courses.