Have students use simple functions in Scratch to create games and stories to share with their classmates in order to learn Scratch’s functionality.
Connect difficult programming constructs to concepts discussed in students’ concurrent coursework to help them anchor the information they’re learning and discover interdisciplinary connections.
Challenge students to rethink their notions of computing and computers when discussing the social implications of computing.
Use a classroom debate as a way to encourage students to engage in discussions about ethics in computer science.
Provide students opportunities to analyze ethical dilemmas beyond their personal beliefs or preferences to ensure students get exposure to a wide variety of perspectives.
Match grammar constructs of nouns and verbs to classes and methods to help students understand what goes into a class because this helps make this difficult object-oriented programming construct easier to understand.
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.
Have students compare two hypothetical job candidates using their resumes and social media profiles to discuss issues that impact online presence and searching for jobs.
Show students the “What Facebook Knows About You” video to help them better understand their digital fingerprint.