Development Methods

Students often get stuck because they start working on a problem without thinking about what they need to know and do in order to get a working solution.

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Do not have students write code for common algorithms. Instead, incorporate common algorithms into your class in novel course-specific variants

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Compare a program to a military dictatorship to emphasize that correctly-formed computer program instructions are followed literally and without question.

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In assignments, make sure to include examples of or references to code that is essential for a program, but that students are not responsible for writing.

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Use a simple IDE to avoid distracting from the actual material; using a complex IDE/programming environment can be overwhelming to students.

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Use analogies to real-life things or events in order to provide students with a more concrete picture of abstract concepts.

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When presenting abstract concepts, have students close their eyes and visualize the concepts as they are described. Then, have them draw what they saw.

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Use treasure hunts as a way to motivate linux commands.

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Highlight key differences between math, CS, and engineering to give students context for why CS is a distinct field in itself. Let students know that you don’t necessarily have to excel in one field to excel in the others.

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Encourage students to step away from buggy code and think about the big picture as a part of the debugging process.

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