This Teaching Paper is an introduction to how to do POGIL in an introductory computing classroom. POGIL is an evidence-based instructional strategy that incorporates collaborative learning practices that can be useful for creating inclusive student community that can benefit students from traditionally underrepresented populations. In a POGIL classroom, student teams work on activities that are specifically designed to guide them to discover and understand core concepts (the guided inquiry) together.
To explore POGIL assignments by the authors of this teaching paper, see:
- Searching in Hi-Lo – CS1 First Day Activity on Algorithm Design & Analysis is designed for students with no CS background. They explore a simple number guessing game to learn that CS involves the design and analysis of solutions to problems.
- Two activities on HTML. HTML 1: Markup focuses on markup in general, and common HTML tags. HTML 2: Documents & Links focuses on document structure, links, and other more advanced tags.
- Activities for a Java CS1 course, including Java Operators (% and /) and Recursion (using factorials and summations).
- Three activities on Unit Testing in Java with JUnit, that explore testing, the JUnit framework, and effective test strategies.
In using POGIL, students develop process skills, such as communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and problem solving. Well-structured teamwork can help grow Inclusive Student Community.