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      Keeping Students Engaged

      This article describes a few methods for keeping students engaged when using Skill Struck.

      Last updated - June 30, 2023
      • For Quicker Learners in HTML: For quicker learners, as the rest of the class completes their HTML units, encourage them to learn CSS at the same time. CSS is a language that helps with website styling. HTML can be learned without CSS, but learning CSS can help a website look nice. For example, if the class is assigned 3 Skill Struck Voyage Lessons, consider assigning the fast learners 3 CSS lessons as well.
      • For Quicker Learners in JavaScript or Python: For quicker learners, during either your JavaScript or Python units, encourage them to simultaneously learn about the other language. Both languages cover the same concepts, but with different syntax. If a student can learn how to accomplish the same challenges with different languages, that builds advanced problem-solving skills. Then, if the class shifts over to the other language (Python to JavaScript or JavaScript to Python), encourage them to learn Python 2 or JavaScript 2.
      • For students with previous knowledge of a Concept(s): If students have already learned a concept (perhaps from a previous year) and do not wish to review it, emphasize to them the importance of practice. Highlight the fact that since they will have more practice perhaps than their peers, they will learn the material better and build better programming skills. Do this in such a way that doesn’t diminish the other students, but in an encouraging way. There’s great value in simply practicing concepts, so as a teacher don’t avoid assigning concepts previously learned, even if students protest. They may think they understand a concept, but in the application may stumble.
      • Students who are having a difficult time understanding: For students who have a harder time understanding the concepts, encourage them to practice at home. Skill Struck can be accessed from anywhere with an internet connection. Encourage them to spend time reviewing the information at home. Encourage students to complete checkpoints again for further practice. Consider encouraging parents to go through the curriculum at the same time so there is a source for help at home.
      • For English Learning Students: For students who are working on improving their English, emphasize that everyone is learning these new vocabulary words at the same time. English is the standard language for programming, but the usage of different words and phrases would be new for everyone. Demonstrate great confidence that your ESL students will be able to learn to program alongside their peers.
      Create a Tutor Program: Nothing helps students understand a concept like teaching it. Pairing up the quick learners with those who struggle to learn to program is highly effective. Encourage the quick learners to coach and mentor their peers. Students are often eager to demonstrate their knowledge and skills with programming, so this allows them an opportunity to share. It can be difficult for one instructor to be able to inspect each and every student’s code for bugs, but with a tutoring program, the students can help each other.