Implementing UNL’s Computational Creativity Exercises

This teaching paper provides an overview of the Computational Creativity Exercises (CCEs) that can be used in introductory computing courses classrooms to improve student learning and performance in computational thinking. The exercises are group-based, unplugged activities. This encourages students to practice thinking and communicating their ideas, without having to worry about coding and syntax, and be constrained to the programming environment. The goal of this paper is to provide other instructors with guidance on implementing these exercises by addressing logistical issues and providing tips for adopting and adapting for individual classroom needs. As part of this overview, we summarize research findings from our multi-year studies on the impact of these exercises.