How to implement a peer instruction-designed CS principles course

Abstract

The CS Principles curriculum framework includes explicit learning goals regarding student abilities in communication and collaboration. Computing majors need these skills. However, what kinds of activities support the development of these skills, especially in a large lecture course? This paper describes Peer Instruction---a pedagogy developed to support students in developing deep understanding in a lecture environment---and its use in the pilot offering of CS Principles in 2010-11 at the University of California at San Diego