Using experiential learning model with graduate students in a first programming class

The Experiential Learning model was Employed in the design of a beginning programming class for M.S. in information Systems students. The model requires focus on a topic, action by the student to explore and learn the topic, support by the teacher, feedback from the teacher and other students, and a debriefing about what the student teamed. The model was used for both Visual Basic and COBOL. The class had focused topics to explore before each class and brought samples of their exploration work each class. These samples were used to generate the discussion and questions. Feedback was solicited,from the students as the semester progressed in order to identify problems and advantages.