Reward code solutions that have the correct thinking and steps behind them, as this can often be reassuring for students.

  • This is reassuring because students can then be awarded for code that perhaps does not compile but embodies the main idea.
  • This shows students that the most important part of their education is learning the concepts and how to think about problems.
  • If the logic of the code is correct, not penalizing small bugs in programs helps students realize mistakes are okay and they don’t have to be perfect.
  • “A learning environment should be a place where making a mistake is an acceptable action.”