Create a programmatic contract, a document that states students will break an assignment into smaller components, for a large programming project to give students experience with modular design.
Administer group quizzes to help students learn to collaborate with one another while also gaining insights about course concepts.
Have students build on one another’s answers during class discussion rather than starting their answers from scratch to keep them engaged throughout the discussion.
Reassure students struggling with common misconceptions that they’re not alone to bolster their confidence.
Have students sort specific topics in computer science into broader categories in an activity that uses index cards to give them a big-picture understanding of concepts they are learning.
Create a group of student mentors who have already completed your school’s introductory computer science courses to give current students peer role models.
Stand or sit among your students in small group settings to encourage more student-driven discussions.
Encourage students to answer one another’s questions in lab and office hours to help both confident and confused students better understand the course concepts.
Have students complete practice CSP Performance Tasks so that students can get feedback and coaching on their performance before the actual test where you’re not allowed to help.
Create a classroom routine where students write regularly using a discussion board to help students get practice writing in a computer science context for the Computer Science Principles Performance Tasks.