Algorithms and Design

Give students a large data file to sort when teaching sorting algorithms to remind students that computers are great at dealing with a large set of data.

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Have students sort large signs their classmates hold to better visualize different sorting algorithms. However, be mindful of unsuitable factors to sort by, such as height and weight.

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Encourage student groups to proceed through the phases of problem solving in order, rather than completely testing only one problem solution at a time, to make them more productive.

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Build a paper airplane instead of the PB&J exercise for a less messy, more extensible algorithms introduction activity.

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Tie the importance of searching and sorting to internet search engines, then encourage students to create search mechanisms for data they want to analyze.

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Have students reason about optimization by creating a program that’ll make an 80 minute playlist for a party.

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Introduce memory and efficiency a few months into the AP CS course. Do so in a hands-on way by demonstrating how a computer cannot compute a slow problem.

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When learning in a playful context, students are less likely to be frustrated by difficulty or failure.

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To integrate CS with other disciplines, have students write algorithms for activities they’re already doing for other classes.

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Use examples that have nothing to do with computers to introduce new CS concepts in an accessible way.

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