When presenting abstract concepts, have students close their eyes and visualize the concepts as they are described. Then, have them draw what they saw. Share When presenting abstract concepts, have students close their eyes and visualize the concepts as they are described. Then, have them draw what they saw. with FacebookShare When presenting abstract concepts, have students close their eyes and visualize the concepts as they are described. Then, have them draw what they saw. with Twitter
Use analogies to real-life things or events in order to provide students with a more concrete picture of abstract concepts. Share Use analogies to real-life things or events in order to provide students with a more concrete picture of abstract concepts. with FacebookShare Use analogies to real-life things or events in order to provide students with a more concrete picture of abstract concepts. with Twitter
When teaching about logical operations, give examples that use real-life situations or events. Share When teaching about logical operations, give examples that use real-life situations or events. with FacebookShare When teaching about logical operations, give examples that use real-life situations or events. with Twitter
Explain inheritance using an “is-a” relationship and composition using a “has-a” relationship. Share Explain inheritance using an “is-a” relationship and composition using a “has-a” relationship. with FacebookShare Explain inheritance using an “is-a” relationship and composition using a “has-a” relationship. with Twitter
Remind students of the relationship between an interface and its implementation to avoid confusion. Share Remind students of the relationship between an interface and its implementation to avoid confusion. with FacebookShare Remind students of the relationship between an interface and its implementation to avoid confusion. with Twitter
To introduce recursion, try reading The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, or “Martin and the Dragon,” to make the topic more engaging. Share To introduce recursion, try reading The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, or “Martin and the Dragon,” to make the topic more engaging. with FacebookShare To introduce recursion, try reading The Cat in the Hat Comes Back, or “Martin and the Dragon,” to make the topic more engaging. with Twitter
Explain recursion with the example of determining your row in a stadium by asking the row in front of your what row it is… asking until you get to the first row, the base case. Share Explain recursion with the example of determining your row in a stadium by asking the row in front of your what row it is… asking until you get to the first row, the base case. with FacebookShare Explain recursion with the example of determining your row in a stadium by asking the row in front of your what row it is… asking until you get to the first row, the base case. with Twitter
Before moving onto arrays, make sure students feel really confident about loops. Share Before moving onto arrays, make sure students feel really confident about loops. with FacebookShare Before moving onto arrays, make sure students feel really confident about loops. with Twitter
Introduce “base-case” and “smaller-caller” as a helpful way for students to remember the different parts of recursion. Share Introduce “base-case” and “smaller-caller” as a helpful way for students to remember the different parts of recursion. with FacebookShare Introduce “base-case” and “smaller-caller” as a helpful way for students to remember the different parts of recursion. with Twitter
Demonstrate swapping variables' values by swapping the contents of two cups full of liquid; you need a third cup to swap the liquids just like you need a third, temporary, variable to swap the values. Share Demonstrate swapping variables' values by swapping the contents of two cups full of liquid; you need a third cup to swap the liquids just like you need a third, temporary, variable to swap the values. with FacebookShare Demonstrate swapping variables' values by swapping the contents of two cups full of liquid; you need a third cup to swap the liquids just like you need a third, temporary, variable to swap the values. with Twitter
Use Class Responsibility Collaboration (CRC) cards to consistently introduce ideas like objects throughout an AP CS course. Share Use Class Responsibility Collaboration (CRC) cards to consistently introduce ideas like objects throughout an AP CS course. with FacebookShare Use Class Responsibility Collaboration (CRC) cards to consistently introduce ideas like objects throughout an AP CS course. with Twitter
Teach nested loops using ASCII art, building from triangles to diamonds through iteration. Share Teach nested loops using ASCII art, building from triangles to diamonds through iteration. with FacebookShare Teach nested loops using ASCII art, building from triangles to diamonds through iteration. 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
When introducing version control, set students up for failure to facilitate group discussions; it’s crucial that students develop good modes of communicating. Share When introducing version control, set students up for failure to facilitate group discussions; it’s crucial that students develop good modes of communicating. with FacebookShare When introducing version control, set students up for failure to facilitate group discussions; it’s crucial that students develop good modes of communicating. with Twitter
Have students imagine that logical operators are people making decisions to help them think about how the operators work. Share Have students imagine that logical operators are people making decisions to help them think about how the operators work. with FacebookShare Have students imagine that logical operators are people making decisions to help them think about how the operators work. with Twitter
Analogize stacks and interrupts using a story in which a person is frequently interrupted in the course of performing everyday tasks. Share Analogize stacks and interrupts using a story in which a person is frequently interrupted in the course of performing everyday tasks. with FacebookShare Analogize stacks and interrupts using a story in which a person is frequently interrupted in the course of performing everyday tasks. with Twitter
Compare recursion to painting the layers of a Russian nesting doll to help students understand the concept. Share Compare recursion to painting the layers of a Russian nesting doll to help students understand the concept. with FacebookShare Compare recursion to painting the layers of a Russian nesting doll to help students understand the concept. 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
Introduce a (sometimes silly) back-story for why students need to write particular methods to motivate them and see how their work might be needed in industry jobs. Share Introduce a (sometimes silly) back-story for why students need to write particular methods to motivate them and see how their work might be needed in industry jobs. with FacebookShare Introduce a (sometimes silly) back-story for why students need to write particular methods to motivate them and see how their work might be needed in industry jobs. with Twitter
Show code without inheritance before showing code that uses inheritance so that students create a tacit understanding of the benefits inheritance provides. Share Show code without inheritance before showing code that uses inheritance so that students create a tacit understanding of the benefits inheritance provides. with FacebookShare Show code without inheritance before showing code that uses inheritance so that students create a tacit understanding of the benefits inheritance provides. with Twitter