Choosing models for coding classes

The idea

Evaluate explanation, debugging, and instructional restraint.

Classroom example

Give a model a failing function and ask for a clue before code. Check whether it explains the defect and lets the student make the repair.

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Use this checklist for choosing models for coding classes.

Review the explanation behind the code

For a programming lesson, a useful response can identify an error and ask the student to reason about a fix. A complete working program may defeat the lesson if the objective is understanding control flow or decomposition.

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Review the result

Evaluate correctness and instructional behavior separately. Code that runs is not proof that the student understands it, and generated code still needs review.