# Student Engagement

Teachers and supporting organizations have developed a number of strategies for engaging students with online learning platforms/curriculum. These strategies also double as an opportunity for formative assessment of student learning.

**Programming Journals**

Programming journals are a great way to keep students reflecting while they're programming. They are especially helpful for students as they work on larger programs or on their Create Tasks, but it is always good to have students practice on shorter labs. For more information on Programming Journals, check out the links below:

* [Coding Journals for Computer Science](https://www.technokids.com/blog/technology-skills/coding-journals-students/)
* [Journals and Reflective Writing ](https://wac.colostate.edu/docs/books/involved/chapter4.pdf)
* [Student Reflection Questions](https://www.cde.state.co.us/standardsandinstruction/es-student-reflections-mc)
* [Learning and the Reflective Journal in Computer Science](http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.19.4550\&rep=rep1\&type=pdf) (research paper)

Below are examples of a number of different ways to implement programming journals:

* [Abstraction Journal](http://www.abstractingcs.com/classrooms/ap-computer-science-principles/abstraction-notebook/) (Credit: Abstracting CS)
* Vocabulary and Key Concept Notebook (Credit: code.org teacher)
  * [Example and Teacher Guide](https://docs.google.com/document/d/14Ke9-NReae3ijGHtamXPEexBh8Ulz7PT3n5n05lGcCQ/edit)
  * [Forum Post on Topic](https://forum.code.org/t/interactive-notebooks-for-ap-csp/9405)
* E-Journal
  * [Example for BJC Unit 1](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1KUPz0Aw1kDc63-SYVBJZLjXcIYajxWuz13AsZhcCJ60/edit)
* [Design Processed Based Journals](https://scratched.gse.harvard.edu/resources/creative-computing-design-journal-examples.html) (Credit: ScratchEd)
* Journaling also works well as Homework, Do Now, or Exit Ticket assignments

**Guided Notes/Worksheets**

Another approach is to provide students with fill in the blank notes or questions that align to specific parts of each lab/activity they are working through. While reflection questions can be included, students often work through these as they complete the lab. Another benefit is that teacher notes, hints, and reminders can also be integrated into the handouts.

* [Example](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1iP_QUEWeQxRCZljDgpmRVJdk73Ci0S69AKltaPejT0E/edit) for BJC Unit 1
* [Alternative example](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zRJECteIRZf4uQaixwlKmuRE48tyVGyXvzzX8gf2yIY/edit) for a previous version of BJC (Credit: Jorge, [all note sheets](https://drive.google.com/drive/u/0/folders/0B_QK4j1czfZtS3p0WkdYUWd4WWM))
* [Alternative example](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1R4v18YAPXCuMpe611MwTlFCasmKx9UF48u8tnN18aYg/edit) for a previous version of BJC (Credit: Jim, [all note sheets](https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0B9aasn9JcDkrQzJ3b1RUcGZhVmM))