Ask an open-ended question and encourage constant student participation, rather than responding to the class after each student makes a point, to lead engaging discussions and debates.
Arrange the computers in your classroom in a layout that allows you to easily view what all the students are working on.
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.
Show students what code looks like with and without new programming constructs (e.g., methods, Objects, inheritance, loops, switch statements) to motivate the reasons for using new concepts.
Create more time for active exercises by flipping the classroom; have students watch videos that cover basic information so you can focus on tasks that require student-teacher interaction.
Get at eye-level when working with students who are working in their seats, rather than standing above them to reduce intimidation so you develop good student teacher relationships.
Use the playful phrasing “bracket thief” when students get a common Java error for forgetting to use a closing bracket to remind students of this error in a non-threatening way.
Require that students ask two other students for help with their bug before asking you to encourage cooperation and to help them make progress learning debugging skills.
Ask students with raised hands if they’ve discussed their question with their partner before helping them because this encourages students to teach each other and helps make sure more of the students’ questions get answered.
Emphasize that computer use is a privilege that can be revoked to keep students on task and focused when working on computers.