Coding Strategies - Parsons Problems
Parsons problems are programming puzzles where a working solution to a problem has been broken up into blocks of code and jumbled up. Students are given the mixed-up code and challenged to re-assemble the code in the correct order. Some Parsons problems, often referred to as two-dimensional Parsons problems, also require the code blocks to be indented correctly. Parsons problems can also contain extra lines of code, called distractors, which are not needed for the code to work.
Although primarily used with text-based languages, Parsons problems can also be used with block-based languages too! The idea behind parson problems is to allow students to focus on the core concepts such as flow of control, conditionals and loops, without the frustration of syntax errors.
Example of a Parsons problem with distractors:
timmy = turtle.Turtle()
window = turtle.Screen()
timmy.forward(100)
timmy.right(90)
timmy.turn(90)
For loopCounter in range(4)
for loopCounter in range(4):
import turtle
Although primarily used with text-based languages, Parsons problems can also be used with block-based languages too! The idea behind parson problems is to allow students to focus on the core concepts such as flow of control, conditionals and loops, without the frustration of syntax errors.
Example of a Parsons problem with distractors:
timmy = turtle.Turtle()
window = turtle.Screen()
timmy.forward(100)
timmy.right(90)
timmy.turn(90)
For loopCounter in range(4)
for loopCounter in range(4):
import turtle
