Camp CAEN - Classroom & Instruction Questions

1. How are the classes set up?
2. How many students / teachers are in each class?
3. What materials do I need for class?

1: How are the classes set up?

Students attending a two-week session will select one Morning and one Afternoon class. Students attending a one-week session will have just one all-day class.

The U-M computer camp provides such a successful educational environment because the students? interests are what drives the learning. The lectures last as long as necessary to present the material, and the computer labs are hands-on, learn-by-doing activities. The student-to-mentor ratio is no greater than 8 to 1. In fact, it's usually much less than that so that questions never go unanswered. Our classes are very project oriented, so that by the end of the session, you should have a completed project to take with you and show off!

Following the morning class is lunch at Bursley (see below about Bursley dining) along with recreation time until the afternoon discussion and then afternoon lab.

The All-day classes work much the same way, although the morning and afternoon classes are all on the same subject and taught by the same instructor.

For a glimpse of the CAEN computing labs and facilities, check out the CAEN Lab web site.

2: How many students / teachers are in each class?

Depending on the class and the session there will be anywhere from 10-24 students, but the student to mentor ratio will always be no more than 8:1, and is usually much less. For every class there is one teacher who will actually lead the class. If there are more than 8 students in the class, there will also be an assistant instructor (larger classes may have two or more assistants). Each class also usually has at least one CIT, who are counselors in training.

3: What materials do I need for class?

Not much is needed for the actual class. A pen/pencil and a notebook is required for note taking. It is recommended that you DO NOT bring a laptop to class. Disks are generally not needed; there is more enough space on the file server for any projects that you complete. At the end of camp, you will be able to download all of your files and projects onto a CD/DVD. Otherwise, everything else you need will be given to you. An open mind, and a willingness to learn are a definite must.