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CS: Introduction in C++

Our fully-customizable interactive courseware enables instructors to promote active learning in C++ with auto-graded assessments, minimal text, and hands-on labs.

Course Modules & Assignments

Basic Skills - Printing
- Variables
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
Operators - Arithmetic Operators
- Boolean Operators
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
Conditionals - If Statement
- If Else Statement
- Switch Case Statement
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
Loops - For Loops
- While Loops
- Nested Loops
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
Vectors - Array Basics
- Vector Basics
- 2D Arrays
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
Pointers - Pointer Basics
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
Strings - String Basics
- String Functions
- String Iteration
- String Comparison
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
Files - Reading a File
- Writing to a File
- CSV Files
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
User-Defined Functions - Function Basics
- Parameters
- Variable Scope
- Returning Values
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
Recursion - What is Recursion?
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
Introduction to Objects - Classes and Objects
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
Mutability - Changing Objects with External Functions
- Changing Objects with Class Functions
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
Encapsulation - What Is Encapsulation?
- Getters and Setters
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
Inheritance - Base & Derived Classes
- Extending & Overriding
- Multilevel Inheritance
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
Polymorphism - What Is Polymorphism?
- Lab
- Coding Exercises
Advanced Topics - Advanced Topics
- Lab
- Coding Exercises

Constructing Knowledge Through Coding

Our Intro to C++ computer science course content emphasizes students applying and exploring the information presented. To provide a thorough introduction to C++ programming, 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. At the end of each module, students are asked to apply the skills they learned in a lab.

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. Auto-graded assessments also include five coding exercises at the end of each module, where students are evaluated on the code they write.

Lowering the Barrier to Entry

This  C++ intro course material 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 our intro to C++ programming  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 spending a sufficient amount of time on their work, and they do not wait until the last moment to begin their work.

Encouraging Customization Through Modularity

This content is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it implements a modular format. Natural breakpoints occur in the curriculum where instructors can make the changes they deem necessary. Instructors can re-name, re-order, or remove units and can author new material using Codio's powerful curriculum content authoring tools, giving complete flexibility when designing the learner's experience.

What's Included?