[geophile]

There were five lengthy assignments, three of which involved programming. I think that could be stepped up a little, but what I've already concluded I need more of next time is more rapid feedback through smaller, quicker assignments.

[makmanalp]

I want to second this idea - usually not getting feedback quickly is one way students don't realize how far behind they are. In this regard, I think it's worth it to take a look at your assignments and see how you can make them easier on you (e.g. an automated test suite / well defined inputs and outputs or goals that runs on shared infrastructure and unambiguously tests "works or not" goes a long way)

[bpye]

Even just splitting the longer assignments into distinct parts so that feedback could be attained part way through would help. That said, 5 for I assume one semester is still pretty good, at least compared to my experience where it would often be 1 or 2.