A Low Stakes Introduction to Computer Programming

This Innovative Practice Category Work in Progress paper introduces a one-unit “absolute beginner” computer programming course. The goals of increasing retention and mitigating disparity in experience levels for majors in Computer Science, and increasing the interest of and accessibility for non-majors in computing were similar to those of other redesigns of introductory computing courses. The big difference was the low-stakes format. The course was designed for potential CS majors with no experience, K-12 Education majors, and other majors who want to see what computer programming is and how it might fit into their future. As a one-unit course offered during the school year, many students can take it at no additional cost, and without much risk of it adversely affecting their GPA or other courses. As a class that is not a prerequisite for any other, the class can be taught with wide interdisciplinary focus and limited technical language.