Introduce memory and efficiency a few months into the AP CS course. Do so in a hands-on way by demonstrating how a computer cannot compute a slow problem. Share Introduce memory and efficiency a few months into the AP CS course. Do so in a hands-on way by demonstrating how a computer cannot compute a slow problem. with FacebookShare Introduce memory and efficiency a few months into the AP CS course. Do so in a hands-on way by demonstrating how a computer cannot compute a slow problem. with Twitter
Have students reason about optimization by creating a program that’ll make an 80 minute playlist for a party. Share Have students reason about optimization by creating a program that’ll make an 80 minute playlist for a party. with FacebookShare Have students reason about optimization by creating a program that’ll make an 80 minute playlist for a party. with Twitter
When teaching arrays, have students complete the Four Rotations problems in pairs. Share When teaching arrays, have students complete the Four Rotations problems in pairs. with FacebookShare When teaching arrays, have students complete the Four Rotations problems in pairs. with Twitter
Teach ArrayLists for the AP CS A exam by having students uncover interesting information from your past students’ grades. Share Teach ArrayLists for the AP CS A exam by having students uncover interesting information from your past students’ grades. with FacebookShare Teach ArrayLists for the AP CS A exam by having students uncover interesting information from your past students’ grades. with Twitter
Because high-school students are interested in driving, transportation is a great model for introducing class hierarchies and interfaces. Share Because high-school students are interested in driving, transportation is a great model for introducing class hierarchies and interfaces. with FacebookShare Because high-school students are interested in driving, transportation is a great model for introducing class hierarchies and interfaces. with Twitter
Tie the importance of searching and sorting to internet search engines, then encourage students to create search mechanisms for data they want to analyze. Share Tie the importance of searching and sorting to internet search engines, then encourage students to create search mechanisms for data they want to analyze. with FacebookShare Tie the importance of searching and sorting to internet search engines, then encourage students to create search mechanisms for data they want to analyze. with Twitter
Create engrossing assignments by taking into account the age groups and interests of your students! Share Create engrossing assignments by taking into account the age groups and interests of your students! with FacebookShare Create engrossing assignments by taking into account the age groups and interests of your students! with Twitter
In preparing for class, set up at least one lab computer with all the software you expect to use and complete assignments and labs yourself right before your students do them. This lets you see any problems that might arise. Share In preparing for class, set up at least one lab computer with all the software you expect to use and complete assignments and labs yourself right before your students do them. This lets you see any problems that might arise. with FacebookShare In preparing for class, set up at least one lab computer with all the software you expect to use and complete assignments and labs yourself right before your students do them. This lets you see any problems that might arise. with Twitter
Have students sort large signs their classmates hold to better visualize different sorting algorithms. However, be mindful of unsuitable factors to sort by, such as height and weight. Share Have students sort large signs their classmates hold to better visualize different sorting algorithms. However, be mindful of unsuitable factors to sort by, such as height and weight. with FacebookShare Have students sort large signs their classmates hold to better visualize different sorting algorithms. However, be mindful of unsuitable factors to sort by, such as height and weight. with Twitter
Give students a caesar cipher to reveal a picture or message in order to teach how characters can be treated as numbers and to reinforce string manipulation. Share Give students a caesar cipher to reveal a picture or message in order to teach how characters can be treated as numbers and to reinforce string manipulation. with FacebookShare Give students a caesar cipher to reveal a picture or message in order to teach how characters can be treated as numbers and to reinforce string manipulation. with Twitter
Give students a cheat-sheet for how to accomplish particular tasks in Java so that they can create interesting programming from the beginning of a course to keep them engaged. Share Give students a cheat-sheet for how to accomplish particular tasks in Java so that they can create interesting programming from the beginning of a course to keep them engaged. with FacebookShare Give students a cheat-sheet for how to accomplish particular tasks in Java so that they can create interesting programming from the beginning of a course to keep them engaged. with Twitter
Bring in real stories about software, specifically games, sometimes going wrong! It is important for students to learn that development usually takes more than just a day and there is no ultimately correct solution. Share Bring in real stories about software, specifically games, sometimes going wrong! It is important for students to learn that development usually takes more than just a day and there is no ultimately correct solution. with FacebookShare Bring in real stories about software, specifically games, sometimes going wrong! It is important for students to learn that development usually takes more than just a day and there is no ultimately correct solution. with Twitter
Balance students’ interest in immediate gratification (writing code) with preparation for the AP CS exam by having students work on and off the computer during every meeting. Share Balance students’ interest in immediate gratification (writing code) with preparation for the AP CS exam by having students work on and off the computer during every meeting. with FacebookShare Balance students’ interest in immediate gratification (writing code) with preparation for the AP CS exam by having students work on and off the computer during every meeting. with Twitter
Use www.polleverywhere.com as an alternative to iClickers for small groups. It provides a number corresponding to an multiple-choice answer for students to text in using their cellphones. Share Use www.polleverywhere.com as an alternative to iClickers for small groups. It provides a number corresponding to an multiple-choice answer for students to text in using their cellphones. with FacebookShare Use www.polleverywhere.com as an alternative to iClickers for small groups. It provides a number corresponding to an multiple-choice answer for students to text in using their cellphones. with Twitter
Encourage students to write clear, well-commented code by having students switch partners in the middle of a project. Share Encourage students to write clear, well-commented code by having students switch partners in the middle of a project. with FacebookShare Encourage students to write clear, well-commented code by having students switch partners in the middle of a project. with Twitter
Have students learn to make themselves a profile page with pop-ups using JavaScript for an exciting and relatively fast way to get students engaged and programming. Share Have students learn to make themselves a profile page with pop-ups using JavaScript for an exciting and relatively fast way to get students engaged and programming. with FacebookShare Have students learn to make themselves a profile page with pop-ups using JavaScript for an exciting and relatively fast way to get students engaged and programming. with Twitter
Misconception: Students have difficulty using the correct data types in Java because their go-to data type is int most of the time. Share Misconception: Students have difficulty using the correct data types in Java because their go-to data type is int most of the time. with FacebookShare Misconception: Students have difficulty using the correct data types in Java because their go-to data type is int most of the time. with Twitter
Give students a large data file to sort when teaching sorting algorithms to remind students that computers are great at dealing with a large set of data. Share Give students a large data file to sort when teaching sorting algorithms to remind students that computers are great at dealing with a large set of data. with FacebookShare Give students a large data file to sort when teaching sorting algorithms to remind students that computers are great at dealing with a large set of data. with Twitter
Use graphics when possible to keep students engaged because text-only output can discourage students. Share Use graphics when possible to keep students engaged because text-only output can discourage students. with FacebookShare Use graphics when possible to keep students engaged because text-only output can discourage students. with Twitter
Use Shapes, Rectangles, and Squares to teach objects and inheritance in Java, tell students they’re the only ones who can complete the job for extra engagement. Share Use Shapes, Rectangles, and Squares to teach objects and inheritance in Java, tell students they’re the only ones who can complete the job for extra engagement. with FacebookShare Use Shapes, Rectangles, and Squares to teach objects and inheritance in Java, tell students they’re the only ones who can complete the job for extra engagement. with Twitter