Forward students links to programs in Python Tutor and ask them to answer questions about how the code works to go over what happens during a function call to provide students in-depth practice. Share Forward students links to programs in Python Tutor and ask them to answer questions about how the code works to go over what happens during a function call to provide students in-depth practice. with FacebookShare Forward students links to programs in Python Tutor and ask them to answer questions about how the code works to go over what happens during a function call to provide students in-depth practice. with Twitter
Misconception: Students struggle with the jump from writing code in one method to writing code in two methods. Share Misconception: Students struggle with the jump from writing code in one method to writing code in two methods. with FacebookShare Misconception: Students struggle with the jump from writing code in one method to writing code in two methods. with Twitter
Misconception: Return is a mystery to students because they may not understand that functions have an entry point and an exit point. This results in mistakes such as assuming Python will return the right thing. Share Misconception: Return is a mystery to students because they may not understand that functions have an entry point and an exit point. This results in mistakes such as assuming Python will return the right thing. with FacebookShare Misconception: Return is a mystery to students because they may not understand that functions have an entry point and an exit point. This results in mistakes such as assuming Python will return the right thing. with Twitter
Show a variety of for loops conditionals (e.g., < vs. <=; different variable names, different start values, different increment operations) to avoid common misconceptions about loops. Share Show a variety of for loops conditionals (e.g., < vs. <=; different variable names, different start values, different increment operations) to avoid common misconceptions about loops. with FacebookShare Show a variety of for loops conditionals (e.g., < vs. <=; different variable names, different start values, different increment operations) to avoid common misconceptions about loops. with Twitter
Having students trace a simple program for drawing a set of squares in Processing to introduce loops and strengthen student understanding for-loops with a body of code through practice. Share Having students trace a simple program for drawing a set of squares in Processing to introduce loops and strengthen student understanding for-loops with a body of code through practice. with FacebookShare Having students trace a simple program for drawing a set of squares in Processing to introduce loops and strengthen student understanding for-loops with a body of code through practice. with Twitter
Use puzzles, problem solving, and tinkering in assignments and activities to build students’ confidence and interest in pursuing Computer Science and to ensure that students understand and develop necessary skills for success. Share Use puzzles, problem solving, and tinkering in assignments and activities to build students’ confidence and interest in pursuing Computer Science and to ensure that students understand and develop necessary skills for success. with FacebookShare Use puzzles, problem solving, and tinkering in assignments and activities to build students’ confidence and interest in pursuing Computer Science and to ensure that students understand and develop necessary skills for success. with Twitter
Integrate readings from the Blown-To-Bits book and related writing prompts into your introductory CS curriculum to engage students critical thinking skills on tech and current events. Share Integrate readings from the Blown-To-Bits book and related writing prompts into your introductory CS curriculum to engage students critical thinking skills on tech and current events. with FacebookShare Integrate readings from the Blown-To-Bits book and related writing prompts into your introductory CS curriculum to engage students critical thinking skills on tech and current events. with Twitter
Connect everyday language with a formal truth table to introduce AND and OR to students. Share Connect everyday language with a formal truth table to introduce AND and OR to students. with FacebookShare Connect everyday language with a formal truth table to introduce AND and OR to students. with Twitter
Set aside class time to check in with students when they’re working on large (2-3+ weeks) group projects in order to catch them before they get derailed and create a project that doesn’t demonstrate assignment requirements. Share Set aside class time to check in with students when they’re working on large (2-3+ weeks) group projects in order to catch them before they get derailed and create a project that doesn’t demonstrate assignment requirements. with FacebookShare Set aside class time to check in with students when they’re working on large (2-3+ weeks) group projects in order to catch them before they get derailed and create a project that doesn’t demonstrate assignment requirements. with Twitter
Misconception: Students incorrectly believe that variables passed into a block in Snap! will get modified; however, a copy of the passed-in variable is what the block receives and modifies. Share Misconception: Students incorrectly believe that variables passed into a block in Snap! will get modified; however, a copy of the passed-in variable is what the block receives and modifies. with FacebookShare Misconception: Students incorrectly believe that variables passed into a block in Snap! will get modified; however, a copy of the passed-in variable is what the block receives and modifies. with Twitter
Use sounds in Scratch to make it clear when particular lines of code are being executed because it can be really hard for students to figure out the order of execution. Share Use sounds in Scratch to make it clear when particular lines of code are being executed because it can be really hard for students to figure out the order of execution. with FacebookShare Use sounds in Scratch to make it clear when particular lines of code are being executed because it can be really hard for students to figure out the order of execution. with Twitter
Put debugging tips inside the test cases when you provide students with JUnit test cases to help students improve their own debugging abilities in Java. Share Put debugging tips inside the test cases when you provide students with JUnit test cases to help students improve their own debugging abilities in Java. with FacebookShare Put debugging tips inside the test cases when you provide students with JUnit test cases to help students improve their own debugging abilities in Java. with Twitter
Use realistic examples of class variables to increase understanding. Share Use realistic examples of class variables to increase understanding. with FacebookShare Use realistic examples of class variables to increase understanding. with Twitter
Cover the outer-loop of nested loops when tracing through loops to help students see the inner loop runs just like a single loop during execution to help students understand nested loops. Share Cover the outer-loop of nested loops when tracing through loops to help students see the inner loop runs just like a single loop during execution to help students understand nested loops. with FacebookShare Cover the outer-loop of nested loops when tracing through loops to help students see the inner loop runs just like a single loop during execution to help students understand nested loops. with Twitter
Explain how inheritance allows the Java toString method to work when teaching printing to help students develop an understanding for how everything in Java is an object that has hierarchical relationships with other objects. Share Explain how inheritance allows the Java toString method to work when teaching printing to help students develop an understanding for how everything in Java is an object that has hierarchical relationships with other objects. with FacebookShare Explain how inheritance allows the Java toString method to work when teaching printing to help students develop an understanding for how everything in Java is an object that has hierarchical relationships with other objects. with Twitter
Encourage students to visualize how memory and references work. Share Encourage students to visualize how memory and references work. with FacebookShare Encourage students to visualize how memory and references work. with Twitter
Draw arrows with memory address numbers written over them from Java objects to their corresponding memory address to help students connect memory models to the actual hardware process. Share Draw arrows with memory address numbers written over them from Java objects to their corresponding memory address to help students connect memory models to the actual hardware process. with FacebookShare Draw arrows with memory address numbers written over them from Java objects to their corresponding memory address to help students connect memory models to the actual hardware process. with Twitter
Spend extra time covering these three topics students have a really hard time with in Java: references and primitives, inheritance, and nested loops. Share Spend extra time covering these three topics students have a really hard time with in Java: references and primitives, inheritance, and nested loops. with FacebookShare Spend extra time covering these three topics students have a really hard time with in Java: references and primitives, inheritance, and nested loops. with Twitter
Have students recursively draw circles to build their recursion skills and understanding. Share Have students recursively draw circles to build their recursion skills and understanding. with FacebookShare Have students recursively draw circles to build their recursion skills and understanding. with Twitter
Use CodingBat problems to supplement Java and Python curricula to give students more practice. Share Use CodingBat problems to supplement Java and Python curricula to give students more practice. with FacebookShare Use CodingBat problems to supplement Java and Python curricula to give students more practice. with Twitter