Jan 19, '07 07:30:00AM • Contributed by: dcottle
I've tried passing around a paper (takes forever to type, is error prone). I've tried passing around my laptop (takes time, they don't know how to use the track pad, I don't like passing around my laptop), but there are fewer errors. I've tried having them come up to the instructor's station (logistically difficult). I've tried having them hand in, as their first assignment, a text document with all the info (takes forever to copy and paste the info). Here's the latest method I've used, which works quite well -- this is after they have learned about servers, or have connected to my machine and have access to my drop box.
I have each student create a folder (we've just talked about creating and naming folders) and rename it with his or her info separated by underscores or spaces. They drop the folder into my drop box.
I select all the folders in the drop box, copy them, move to a text editor such as Text Edit, and paste them. From there, it's a pretty simple operation to replace the spaces with tabs, then make it a table (or copy and paste the data into Excel). Students learn a little about managing files and handing items in, and I have an error-free quick and easy space-delimited (therefore tab-delimited) list of their contact information.
