Ten Quick Tips for Teaching with Participatory Live Coding

Participatory live coding is a technique in which a teacher or instructor writes and narrates code out loud as they teach and invites learners to join them by writing and executing the same code. Learners watch as an instructor writes code live in real time, typically via 1 or more projector screens that show the same screen as the instructor sees. Instructors also read out loud what they type, explaining the different elements and principles that are relevant for learners to understand the code. At the same time, each learner is invited to copy and execute the exact code or commands that are being written on their own work station. Learners thus “code-along” with the instructor. There are frequent, often short, exercises, in which learners are asked to solve a small relevant problem on their own. This approach aims to be an improvement on teaching programming through lecturing showing static code or relying on learners reading a textbook or compendium. What is taught is immediately applied rather than just shown on a slide or on paper: It embodies the “I do, we do, you do” approach to knowledge transfer that is used both formally and informally to teach everything from laboratory bench skills to grant writing [1]. It also slows the instructor down, giving learners more time to actively engage with the material before moving on to the next concept. Importantly, the thought process behind coding can also be made explicit. Learner’s questions can immediately be answered and misconceptions corrected by coding them. Exercises enable immediate practice using the material. Crucially, the technique also allows for teaching handling of mistakes. Beyond deliberately introducing mistakes during the live coding, instructors will often make unplanned mistakes. Novice learners are likely to make many such mistakes themselves, and diagnosing and solving mistakes is an integral aspect of learning programming. The participatory aspect engages learners, which helps them become active practitioners rather than passive observers of the programming process. Participatory live coding is most beneficial for novices who are unfamiliar with the tools. More experienced learners may gain enough by listening passively or engaging with the material and classroom differently. Participatory live coding for teaching programming should not be confused with live coding used to demonstrate software (for example, at a conference, with an audience passively observing) or live streaming programming [2] or live coding used as a form of performing art (e.g., while creating computer music [3]). A video recording demonstrating the participatory live coding technique can be found here: https://vimeo.com/139316669. PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY