CS 473: Oral Presentations

For about a third of the homework assignments, groups will present their solutions orally to one of the TAs instead of submitting a written solution set.

Which Homeworks?

After HW1 has been submitted, we will randomly assign each student one of the next three homeworks (HW2, HW3, HW4) to present orally. You can look up which homework you are expected to present on Compass Gradebook after HW1 is submitted. Each group that submits a common HW1 solution will be assigned the same homework. You are free to change homework groups, but you must present the homework you have been assigned.

We will ask for new group lists with HW4 (for HW5, HW6, and HW7 presentations) and again with HW7 (for HW8, HW9, and HW10 presentations). Between rotations, you may change homework groups with no restrictions.

When and Where

Oral presentations will be held Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday each week, immediately after the written homework deadline (Tuesday at the beginning of class), in 3303 Siebel Center (the "Theory Lab"). Sign-up sheets will be posted outside the Theory Lab one week before each homework deadline. Each homework group must sign up for a 30-minute time slot no later than Monday evening.

Every group member that actually shows up will get the same homework grade. If you miss the time slot your group signed up for, you get a zero for that homework. If you absolutely must reschedule your presentation because of an unexpected emergency, contact ta473@illinois.edu, preferably at least 24 hours in advance.

Procedures and Grading

Each oral presentation will last 30 minutes, split into three 10-minute chunks, one for each homework problem. Each student will be asked to present one problem. The order of the problems, and which student presents which problem, will be determined randomly by the TA (with an actual die roll).

Each student will present as much of their solution as they can in five minutes, without help from their teammates; the TA will determine an individual score based on the student's presentation. Then, for the next five minutes, the other group members can chime in to help; the TA will determine another group score based on the entire group's presentation. (The five minute time limit is not rigid. If the student is doing well, the other group members may decide to wait longer. If a student is struggling, they may ask for help from their teammates early.) Every member of the group receives the average of the two scores.

For groups with three members, each student will present one problem, with help from the other members after five minutes. If a group has only two members, each student will present one problem, with help from their partner after five minutes; then both students will present the third problem together. If a group has only one member, that student will present all three problems without help.

Oral homework scores are based not only on the completeness and correctness of the solution, but also on the clarity of presentation. We strongly encourage you to practice presenting each problem at least once before presenting to the TA.