Give students opportunities and resources (people, books & the web) for asking and answering their own questions.

  • Remind students that getting another perspective, e.g. from a different book or resource, can help them understand the topic.
    • They can go to a library and try different books that might explain a topic in another way.
  • Point out to students that computer science isn’t a solitary task.
    • That’s why computer science classes aren’t taught on deserted islands.
  • Make sure students have a "phone-a-friend" or other support systems to help them through assignments.
    • One way to achieve this is to facilitate interaction within the class, e.g. "Have you talked to so-and-so about this?"
  • Online courses are a great way for students to answer their own questions because they can see course material from another perspective.
    • Some course sites such as Udacity.com even have a forum where students can ask and answer questions.
  • Use Piazza.com so that students can answer other students’ questions and you can answer questions outside of the classroom.

More about this tip

External Source

Interview with Christine Alvarado

Interview with Jacqueline Fairley