Subgoal Labeling

Subgoal Labeling

Front: Subgoal labeling is grouping related steps and naming them to describe the part (subgoal) that they achieve in a larger task. Subgoal labels have been used in computer science education to help students learn how problems are constructed and solved. They have also been used to reduce cognitive load when using worked examples.

Back: Decompose worked examples into code chunks and add subgoal labels. Use code comments or visual text aids to define the purpose of each segment. After some practice deconstructing code and creating code in novel problems, give students a worked example and have them create subgoal labels.

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