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Data Structures

Misconception: students sometimes struggle to identify where in a loop variable values get changed.

Spend extra time teaching Big O in intro classes that use Python because the underlying implementation of Python lists is a mystery to students that leads students to believe many operations are constant, O(1), that are not.

Use Easter eggs and a seed sorter to teach arrays of objects because students find arrays of objects hard and need the additional scaffolding.

Create a word counter assignment to help students understand the importance of Big-O.

Focus on these four key concepts when first teaching C to help students with previous programing experiences transition from higher-level languages such as Python.

Use a four-point structure when teaching data structures to keep class consistent for optimal learning: introduce an abstract data type, cover implementation, demonstrate use, and review Big-O analysis.

Use Problets.org to help students practice programming basics in C++, Java, C#, or Visual Basic

Use this list of common coding errors to help students debug.

Remember that many misconceptions regarding linked lists also occur when dealing with binary search trees so that you are prepared to identify and correct them.

Use the Barrel of Monkeys toy as a visual aid to explain linked lists.

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