As computer science professors incrementally increase their reliance upon undergraduate Teaching Fellows, it is becoming more important to identify the strategies which best equip Teaching Fellows to assist students with coursework while providing the best learning experience during teaching sessions. In this lightning talk, we present a strategy consisting of clarifying and probing questions which builds upon the importance of equipping students with tools to solve computer science problems on their own, instead of seeking help from the teaching staff every time they face a challenge. To this end, we will share a guide that we adopted during Teaching Fellow training for our university’s introductory course CS1. Additionally, we will share scenarios in which such strategies might be the most useful, namely during group tutorials or one-on-one office hours sessions. Lastly, we will share preliminary findings on how the following strategy can benefit a student not only during the time when a Teaching Fellow is helping them but can also equip them with skills to solve such problems on their own.
Yunfei Hou California State University, San Bernardino, Miranda McIntyre California State University, San Bernardino, Jesus Herrera California State University, San Bernardino, Joyce Fu University of California, Riverside, Hani Aldirawi California State University, San Bernardino