Parsons Problem

Advance Prep

1. Create or identify a Parsons Problem(s) for students to solve. You may use a web-based Parsons Program generator or examples, or you may create your own as an offline activity for students to solve on paper.
2. If creating your own Parsons Problem, consider the following:
   1. Provide a clear explanation of what the program should do when it is in the correct order.
   2. Ensure that there is only one correct sequence for the code.
   3. Have learners order actual lines of code rather than representative letters or numbers. This will help them learn the syntax and construction of the code.
   4. To reduce guessing, provide students with more than one question that tests the same logic.
   5. Include structures such as indentation, colons, etc., to give learners visual cues and introduce them to more complex programming concepts.
   6. Some Parsons Problems can include distractors or fixed lines of code in place.

Implementation

1. Introduce students to the problem and share the program’s purpose— what it should do when all lines of code are in the correct order.
2. Provide the scrambled lines of code and have students order the code through a web-based program or on paper.
3. Web-based programs give students immediate feedback on their answers to continuously address misconceptions and errors. If students complete the problem using paper and pencil, debrief to check for understanding and address misconceptions.
4. Parsons problems are designed to be efficient and effective means for developing program comprehension skills. Present additional problems using similar logic to provide more practice for students.