Student feedback on NB 1.0 #5
Description
I didn't have much trouble completing the notebook. I actually went a bit further to make a cell that would generate a list of random numbers while plotting a histogram and results on a graph based on user input.
However, I felt that exercise one was a bit arbitrary. I just found having to manually use python as a calculator didn't actually make the middle square method clearer to me. My suggestion is to remove the exercise for students entirely and to make it an example in markdown instead. This would save time and allow students to concentrate on the aim of the assignment—automating the RNG process.
On the other hand, I found exercise 2 to be quite good in demonstrating the efficacy of the PCG64 algorithm. I felt like showing the differences between methods of generating pseudorandom numbers is definitely useful for students. One suggestion I have for this particular exercise is to have a follow up part that comes after it that allows students to check that they've done the python calculation correctly (ie. "If you've done it correctly, you should've gotten "x" answer, which shows that the algorithm is nearly totally random.)
I would recommend an addition of an exercise 6, which would be to create a python cell which produces:
a. a list of randomly generated numbers of which the amount is controlled by user input
b. a user selectable seed
c. a x-y plot of the list of randomly generated numbers
d. a histogram of the randomly generated numbers
I feel like such an exercise that combines everything that was learned in section 1.0 could confirm a student's knowledge in the subject. (Totally not because I went above and beyond and did that)