ABSTRACT
In shaping a course to meet student needs, at least three major variables should be considered: students' current background and skills, students' motivations, and students' level of confidence. Students who seem to be gifted problem solvers may have poor communication and/or inter-personal skills. Altogether, some experienced incoming students flourish and remain strong through graduation, but other experienced students do not progress as their initial background might have predicted. Similarly, some students who enter college as true novices become truly outstanding computing majors, while others become capable but undistinguished majors. Just as preparation and motivation vary dramatically among students, so does the level of self confidence. In attempting to handle diversity within a classroom, several different approaches might be considered, including the course structure, student activities, and mechanisms to motivate students. In talking to faculty at different schools, each may have its own culture, and tapping into that environment may provide hints for motivating students.
