My next conference session dove into four dynamic strategies to supercharge student participation and learning in computer science classrooms. These aren't just theoretical approaches; they're practical ways to get students actively engaged with code and concepts.
1. Mob Debugging
Imagine your students working together, in real-time, to fix code errors. That's Mob Debugging! This collaborative approach turns debugging into an energetic group effort. Students identify and correct syntax and logical mistakes as a team, learning from each other's problem-solving techniques and building a strong sense of community in the process. The presenter demonstrated this effectively using the CodeHS platform with existing code that contained errors. It's worth noting that tools like JetBrains support collaborative coding, and I suspect it could also be possible with VS Code in Codespaces.
2. Code Debate
Why is one code solution better than another? Code Debate challenges students to compare different approaches to a problem, discussing the pros and cons of each. This fosters critical thinking, encourages students to articulate and defend their coding choices, and helps them understand that often, there are multiple valid paths to a solution. The presenter simply displayed the code and expected output on the screen, but this also presents a great opportunity to showcase student work to the entire class. He also addressed the challenge of passive students by suggesting that after an initial discussion, students could fork the problem with a partner, followed by a gallery walk to share their solutions.
3. PRIMM Framework (Predict, Run, Investigate, Modify, Make)
The PRIMM Framework provides a structured, five-step approach to learning new code:
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Predict: Students anticipate what the code will do.
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Run: They execute the code to see its actual behavior.
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Investigate: Students explore the code's functionality in detail.
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Modify: They make small changes to understand the impact of their alterations.
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Make: Finally, students create a new solution, applying the concepts they've learned.
This framework guides students through a thoughtful and iterative learning process. We see this implemented in the CodeHS CSA course, and it's also the format for many Code.org lessons.
4. Parsons Problems
Parsons Problems are a fantastic way to test understanding of programming logic and syntax. Students are given pre-written code blocks and must reconstruct them into a correct and functional program. You can do these problems unplugged but there was a great discussion about using AI to create these problems, and tools like CodeHS can quickly generate them, saving educators valuable prep time. You can also find excellent Parsons Problems in the Runestone textbook for CSAwesome.
These strategies are all about transforming coding education from a passive experience into an active, collaborative, and deeply engaging one. By implementing them, you can help students not only learn to code but also truly deepen their computational thinking skills.