Partner programming activities

Partner programming roles

During these in-class activities, you will be paired with another student. When completing the activity, you will rotate between the following roles as directed:

Coder - proposes solution strategy

  • Reads out instructions or prompts
  • Directs the Developer what to type in the Quarto document in RStudio
  • Talks with Developer about ideas related to ways they could solve the problem.
  • Does not ask the Developer how they would solve the problem.
  • Does not ask the developer what functions / tools they should use.
  • Revises solution strategy based on evaluation / debugging conversations with the Developer.
  • Does not ask the Developer to debug the code.
  • Talks with the Developer about what comments to make in the Quarto document to help the group understand the code later.

Developer – evaluates solution strategy

  • Reads prompt and ensures Coder understands what the problem is asking.
  • Types the code specified by the Coder into the Quarto document in RStudio
  • Listens carefully, asks the Coder to repeat statements if needed, or to slow down.
  • Encourages the Coder to vocalize their thinking.
  • Asks the Coder clarifying questions.
  • Checks for accuracy by asking the solution to be restated for clarity.
  • Does not give hints to the Coder for how to solve the problem.
  • Does not solve the problem themselves.
  • Runs the code provided by the Coder.
  • If code does not run or has errors, talks with Coder about how to debug the proposed solution strategy.
    • Does not tell the Coder how to correct an error.
  • Once code runs, evaluates the output relative to the prompt to ensure the output addresses the question.

Group norms

  1. Think and work together. Do not divide the work.
  2. Be open minded.
  3. No cross-talk with other groups.
  4. Communicate with each other!

Note: This activity is inspired by and draws largely upon Allison Theobold and Judith Canner’s workshop at USCOTS 2025.

Activity 1 (9/24/2025)

Activity 2 (9/25/2025)

Activity 3 (9/29/2025)

Activity 4 (10/06/2025)