Remind students that variable assignment occurs in the order assignments are given. This avoids the misconception that changing one value affects other variables assigned before it. Share Remind students that variable assignment occurs in the order assignments are given. This avoids the misconception that changing one value affects other variables assigned before it. with FacebookShare Remind students that variable assignment occurs in the order assignments are given. This avoids the misconception that changing one value affects other variables assigned before it. with Twitter
Avoid using x and y as variable names to prevent students from confusing variable assignments with mathematical expressions. Share Avoid using x and y as variable names to prevent students from confusing variable assignments with mathematical expressions. with FacebookShare Avoid using x and y as variable names to prevent students from confusing variable assignments with mathematical expressions. with Twitter
Have students write short computer science poems for extra credit to encourage them to show what they’ve learned in a new way. Share Have students write short computer science poems for extra credit to encourage them to show what they’ve learned in a new way. with FacebookShare Have students write short computer science poems for extra credit to encourage them to show what they’ve learned in a new way. with Twitter
Introduce object states early when teaching object-oriented programming. Share Introduce object states early when teaching object-oriented programming. with FacebookShare Introduce object states early when teaching object-oriented programming. with Twitter
Be explicit about what direction references point when teaching about objects and references. Share Be explicit about what direction references point when teaching about objects and references. with FacebookShare Be explicit about what direction references point when teaching about objects and references. with Twitter
Use the "PB&J" sandwich activity to introduce important components of algorithms. Share Use the "PB&J" sandwich activity to introduce important components of algorithms. with FacebookShare Use the "PB&J" sandwich activity to introduce important components of algorithms. with Twitter
Emphasize to your students that in languages like Java a semicolon ends a complete thought, rather than just a line of code. Share Emphasize to your students that in languages like Java a semicolon ends a complete thought, rather than just a line of code. with FacebookShare Emphasize to your students that in languages like Java a semicolon ends a complete thought, rather than just a line of code. with Twitter
Prioritize straightforward, understandable code over unclear, shortcut-filled code to avoid confusion. Share Prioritize straightforward, understandable code over unclear, shortcut-filled code to avoid confusion. with FacebookShare Prioritize straightforward, understandable code over unclear, shortcut-filled code to avoid confusion. with Twitter
Write out the underlying goals of your course in order to properly organize content. Share Write out the underlying goals of your course in order to properly organize content. with FacebookShare Write out the underlying goals of your course in order to properly organize content. with Twitter
Ensure loops and conditionals are consistently formatted. Share Ensure loops and conditionals are consistently formatted. with FacebookShare Ensure loops and conditionals are consistently formatted. with Twitter
One strategy for lesson planning is to introduce content with lectures, reinforce content with in-class activities, and extend content with homework. Share One strategy for lesson planning is to introduce content with lectures, reinforce content with in-class activities, and extend content with homework. with FacebookShare One strategy for lesson planning is to introduce content with lectures, reinforce content with in-class activities, and extend content with homework. with Twitter
Be careful to introduce code that students are equipped to understand; otherwise, students may not be able to demonstrate their comprehension. Share Be careful to introduce code that students are equipped to understand; otherwise, students may not be able to demonstrate their comprehension. with FacebookShare Be careful to introduce code that students are equipped to understand; otherwise, students may not be able to demonstrate their comprehension. with Twitter
Ensure that your courses have clear expectations about prerequisite knowledge so all students are well-equipped for class material. Share Ensure that your courses have clear expectations about prerequisite knowledge so all students are well-equipped for class material. with FacebookShare Ensure that your courses have clear expectations about prerequisite knowledge so all students are well-equipped for class material. with Twitter
Improving ineffective assignments by modifying or altogether replacing them increases learning overall. Share Improving ineffective assignments by modifying or altogether replacing them increases learning overall. with FacebookShare Improving ineffective assignments by modifying or altogether replacing them increases learning overall. with Twitter
Make sure students have the necessary information on how to set up their computing environment to work comfortably and effectively. Share Make sure students have the necessary information on how to set up their computing environment to work comfortably and effectively. with FacebookShare Make sure students have the necessary information on how to set up their computing environment to work comfortably and effectively. with Twitter
Go beyond prescribed course content to teach students about additional tools and skills they need to be successful. Share Go beyond prescribed course content to teach students about additional tools and skills they need to be successful. with FacebookShare Go beyond prescribed course content to teach students about additional tools and skills they need to be successful. with Twitter
Teach students how to trace out-of-bounds errors by demonstrating on the board. Share Teach students how to trace out-of-bounds errors by demonstrating on the board. with FacebookShare Teach students how to trace out-of-bounds errors by demonstrating on the board. with Twitter
Choose an appropriate IDE that fits course goals. For AP CS, use an IDE that doesn’t autofill to give students more practice writing code on their own Share Choose an appropriate IDE that fits course goals. For AP CS, use an IDE that doesn’t autofill to give students more practice writing code on their own with FacebookShare Choose an appropriate IDE that fits course goals. For AP CS, use an IDE that doesn’t autofill to give students more practice writing code on their own with Twitter
Use a diagram with variable-value pairs for each call of a recursive function to help students see the change of control flow as calls are made and completed. Share Use a diagram with variable-value pairs for each call of a recursive function to help students see the change of control flow as calls are made and completed. with FacebookShare Use a diagram with variable-value pairs for each call of a recursive function to help students see the change of control flow as calls are made and completed. with Twitter
Explain through metaphor that return values allow a primary function to get information from a secondary function. Share Explain through metaphor that return values allow a primary function to get information from a secondary function. with FacebookShare Explain through metaphor that return values allow a primary function to get information from a secondary function. with Twitter