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Course Overview and Structure

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Sally Steuterman edited this page Apr 20, 2022 · 40 revisions

Methodology

Blended Learning

The course is delivered using a combination of online tasks, in person instruction, small peer group time, and programming assignments. The varied delivery is meant to reinforce the concepts by accommodating different learning styles.

Flipped Classroom Model

Most of the traditional instruction, or prep work, will be done independently via online reading and exercises. For Part-Time students, prep work will be completed outside of class time. For Full-Time students, prep work is part of the scheduled day. Group time will be spent reviewing concepts, answering questions, walking through live-coding examples, and working on small programming tasks called studios.

Course Goals

Teach students, from wide ranging backgrounds, these topics:

  • Learn how to learn (learning mindset)
  • Problem solving skills
  • Basic programming using JavaScript
  • Introduction of web development concepts

This content is meant to be a start and not the finish. With these skills students can proceed into more complex areas.

Class Structure

Part-Time Classes

  • Prep work
    • Tasks student do at home, before class
      • Includes:
        • Reading aassigned chapters
        • Completing reading quizzes
        • Working on practice exercises
  • Primary Instruction
    • Led by the instructor
    • Lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour
  • Studio
    • Students separate into assigned groups, that are led by a TF
    • Lasts 1 to 1.5 hours
    • Designed to be safe practice time for students with TF support
  • Programming Assignments
    • Graded assignments for which students are given multiple weeks to complete

Full-Time Classes

  • Prep work
    • Tasks student do in class
    • Includes:
      • Reading aassigned chapters
      • Completing reading quizzes
      • Working on practice exercises
  • Primary Instruction
    • Led by the instructor
    • Lasts 45 minutes to 1 hour
  • Studio
    • Students separate into assigned groups, that are led by a TF
    • Lasts 1 to 1.5 hours
    • Designed to be safe practice time for students with TF support
  • Programming Assignments
    • Graded assignments for which students are given multiple classes to complete in class.
  • Self-Assessments (Full-Time classes only)
    • These assessments are scheduled to provide feedback for the student about what concepts they understand and what they need to review.
    • These are not graded, and will not prevent a student from passing the class.
    • Use these to assess overall class understanding of concepts.
    • The time spent on these self-assessments is split between students working on the assessment without their notes and comparing their answers to the solution guide. In Canvas, the corresponding solution guide is in Pages and should be published as students work on the self-assessment. This way students can access the solution guide as soon as they complete the questions.
    • We have made this guide for students on best practices for the self-assessments. Remind students to open it up in Canvas before they start reviewing their answers for each self-assessment.

Tasks and Responsibilities

Instructors and TFs are crucial to the success of the students. These tasks help ensure that everyone knows their role in the process.

Instructors

  • Report Issues to LaunchCode (LC) staff
  • Facilitate large group(full class) activities
    • Examples
      • What to review/demo in primary instruction
      • Decide whether to bring the class back together after studio time
      • Decide whether to hold a TF standup after class
  • Monitor and respond to student struggles
    • Look for signs of students struggling and falling behind
    • Use feedback from students and TFs to determine how to cover the topic more effectively.
    • Adjust examples and descriptions of topics as needed.
  • Act as a knowledgeable resource for TFs

Teaching Fellows (TFs)

TFs will be assigned a group of students to guide.

  • Assist individual students
    • If in a Part-Time class, check on each student in your group at least once every class.
    • If in Full-Time class, check on each student a few times during the entire day.
    • Answer individual student questions
    • Help an individual student through a code problem
  • Monitor and respond to individual student struggles
    • Ask how the student feels about the current topic? Do they understand it?
    • Look at student submissions to see if the are attempting quizzes, exercises, and studios.
  • Facilitate studios and other small-group activities
    • Deliver the activities listed in Canvas
  • Grading
    • TFs are responsible for verifying student work and entering a grade into Canvas
  • Feedback
    • Provide the students specific and timely feedback on assignments, studios, and tasks
    • Provide ideas to the LaunchCode staff on how to make the course better

Students

Part-Time Students

  • Pay attention to assignments in Canvas
  • Do the prep work before class
  • Attend class and participate in activities
  • Turn in graded assignments on time
  • Do their own work

Full-Time Students

  • Pay attention to assignments in Canvas
  • Do the prep work during assingned prep work time, usually before lecture and studio
  • Attend class and participate in activities
  • Turn in graded assignments on time
  • Do their own work

Bug and Issue Reporting

Students should notify their TA or instructor of any issues they find in course materials (typos, bugs, etc). Course staff should assess the issue and gather as much info as possible. If the issue is indeed with course materials (some student concerns are the result of misreadings, bad student code, etc) then then they should raise the issue with the Education Team. To submit an issue, do one of the following:

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