Constructing Knowledge Through Coding
Advanced Django emphasizes students applying and exploring the information presented. A code editor accompanies each page with new concepts so students can see for themselves how the computer responds to code. In addition, the content provides code snippets to get students started as well as suggested avenues for investigation.
Auto-Graded Assessments
Students receive immediate, rich feedback. In addition to correctness feedback (i.e. right or wrong), students will also see an explanation with the complete solution. There are a wide variety of questions — all of which are auto-graded, giving students a sense of their understanding of the material right after they are introduced to it and as they attempt harder and harder problems.
Lowering the Barrier to Entry
Advanced Django reflects the need for computer science education to meet students where they are. Like any specialized community, computer science has its own jargon. The formal teaching of computer science should not burden students with the assumption that they are fluent in this special language. The material is presented in smaller units that are more manageable for the students. The same vocabulary and concepts are covered, but in a more approachable way — state things as plainly as possible, and, when appropriate, use images, tables, or lists.
Another way in which this content is more approachable is that it uses many small programs instead of one large program. Research shows that a variety of smaller problems increase student performance and reduce stress. Using many small programs leads to students spend a sufficient amount of time on their work, and they do not wait until the last moment to begin their work.
Build a Functional Website and API
Each module builds on the previous content. Students get to see how all of the concepts listed in the modules section work together by adding them to their blog. They also get to put their newfound skills to use by building a capstone project. This course uses GitHub to keep track of all of the student work.
Using Codio’s excellent content authoring tools, instructors can author new material to customize this course to meet their needs.
