Computer Science Honors

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Week 5 Teaching using LxD

Teaching using LxD

4 min read

Sprint Objective

Move from learner to teacher. Design, teach, test, and improve a short technical lesson while contributing to your project.

Choose a Teaching Focus

  • CSSE: JavaScript through a game concept
  • CSP: JavaScript frontend or SASS
  • CSA: Java backend concepts: API, JPA, or POJO
  • CSH: a capstone concept or technology

Use the LxD Cycle

  1. Empathize: Identify one learner misconception or need.
  2. Define: Write a Point of View (POV) statement and a learning goal.
  3. Ideate: Write one How Might We (HMW) question. Choose an activity and example.
  4. Prototype: Build a lesson draft, code example, and practice task.
  5. Test: Teach it, collect feedback, and revise.
flowchart LR
    Empathize --> Define --> Ideate --> Prototype --> Test --> Empathize

Build Your Lesson

Your lesson must:

  • Teach one clear programming or technical concept.
  • Study a collection of related code, not only a definition.
  • Use a project-connected example when possible.
  • State a learning objective and success criteria.
  • Include a Tech Talk, popcorn hack, and homework hack.
  • Engage students within five minutes.
  • Include a 1-point grading plan for the popcorn and homework hacks.
  • Show at least one revision based on feedback.

Topic Menu

Fundamentals: CSSE Connection

Study related code that shows how the concept works across variables, functions, and program flow.

  • Data types: variables, booleans, strings, arrays, objects/maps
  • Operations and control flow: expressions, logical operators, conditionals, loops
  • Game concepts: JSON game-engine definitions, constructors that create game objects, object methods, interaction events, and collision reactions that change game state

Applied Development: CSP Connection

Study related frontend and backend code that traces data through the application.

  • Input and output: HTML input, DOM, HTML output
  • Code structure: arrays/lists, JSON/dictionaries, functions, classes, methods, objects, inheritance
  • Frontend-to-backend pipeline: Presentation layer, API layer, and database layer technical concepts, purpose, and best practices.

System Topics: CSA Connection

Study a collection of CSA backend code. Explain how the system uses classes, APIs, persistence, security, or state.

  • JWT login and cookies
  • API, MVC, and security systems
  • Roles in submitting, teaching, and grading
  • AI pipeline in grading
  • AWS S3 uploads
  • Custom JPA queries
  • Chat and WebSockets
  • Game state tracking: quick and persistent
  • AI pipeline in gaming and state persistence

Research Topics: CSA and CSH Connection

Study a collection of upper-level CSA or CSH code. Explain the system inputs, processing, outputs, tradeoffs, and real-world impact.

  • Designing SASS utilities and runners similar to Tailwind class definitions
  • Gamification of localhost system states to frontend dashboards
  • Key concepts in RFID tracking
  • Key concepts in spatial recognition
  • Key concepts in LLM inference

Teaching Checklist

  • Learn a College Articulation, College Board, or Honors Capstone big idea.
  • Select and annotate a collection of related code examples.
  • Create examples that move from simple to complex.
  • Add a practice activity that checks understanding.
  • Prepare answers for likely questions or misconceptions.
  • Prepare the lesson with peers.
  • Gather feedback and document the change you make.
  • Publish the lesson and supporting evidence to GitHub Pages.

Checkpoints and Evidence

Bring links or artifacts for each completed item to your team checkpoint.

Hard Skills

  • Explain and use data types: variables, booleans, strings, and arrays.
  • Apply expressions, logical operators, conditionals, and loops.
  • Use functions, classes, and methods.
  • Use a College Articulation, College Board, or Honors Capstone big idea.
  • Apply the LxD cycle: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, Test.
  • Write a POV statement and an HMW question.
  • State learning objectives and success criteria.
  • Build examples from simple to complex.
  • Create and test a practice activity.
  • Revise the lesson using peer feedback.

Course Examples

Check the example that matches each class you teach:

  • CSSE: Teach a JavaScript concept through a game.
  • CSP: Teach a JavaScript frontend or SASS concept.
  • CSA: Teach a Java backend concept: API, JPA, or POJO.
  • CSH: Teach a capstone concept or technology.

Teaching and Collaboration

  • Present the concept clearly and respond to questions.
  • Adjust an explanation when learners are confused.
  • Teach on the assigned teaching day.
  • Give constructive feedback on another lesson.
  • Share lesson-design work with your team.
  • Track work with GitHub issues and version control.
  • Publish lesson iterations to GitHub Pages.
  • Document your LxD process, feedback, and revisions.
  • Show problem-solving and debugging evidence.

Lesson Closeout

Before the live review:

  • Self-score each item.
  • Add links to evidence.
  • Discuss scores and evidence with your team.
  • Identify one learner need, one effective activity, and one lesson revision.
  • Identify one team practice to improve next sprint.

Use $0.09$ of $0.10$ as a typical maximum score per item. The teacher will review your evidence and reflection.

Hard Skills Points Grade Evidence
Fundamentals lessons .1 x 5    
Example lesson: Input and output .1    
Object definitions .1    
Language comparisons .1    
Interesting hacks or real-world connection .1    
LxD process documentation .1    
Total 1    
Teaching and Collaboration Points Grade Evidence
Teaching effectiveness .1 x 3    
Advocacy and collaboration .1 x 3    
LxD Design Thinking application .1 x 2    
Peer feedback and iteration .1 x 2    
Total 1    

Course Timeline