See also POGIL FAQs for general FAQs.
If you have questions that are not answered here, please email clif@kussmaul.org.
[+] What is IntroCS POGIL?
The IntroCS POGIL Project is a 2017 NSF IUSE project to study factors that most influence faculty to adopt POGIL in introductory computer science courses and how the degree of POGIL implementation impacts student learning and engagement. This project will also make it significantly easier for computer science faculty to adopt POGIL, by disseminating high quality instructional resources and enhancing current professional development practices.
[+] What is OpenPath?
The OpenPath Project is a 2015 NSF IUSE project to develop learning pathways through the computing curriculum to help address key challenges of computing education via student exposure to and participation in Humanitarian Free and Open Source Software (HFOSS) projects.
POGIL is used to scaffold early learning and help students develop team and process skills, which will support a transition to more independent learning in HFOSS environments.
[+] What is CS-POGIL?
The CS-POGIL Project is a 2011 NSF TUES project to develop, refine, validate, and disseminate two sets of POGIL materials in computer science (CS), specifically for software engineering (SE) and data structures & algorithms (DS&A). These materials will be used to raise the awareness of POGIL and related techniques among CS educators. The longer term goal is to foster a community to develop and refine POGIL materials and thereby transform CS education.
CS-POGIL Activities
[+] What are stages?
Stages indicate how mature & developed an activity is.
| Level | Label | Description |
| 0 | Conceived | Activity has been conceived (key ideas or models) or outlined. |
| 1 | Drafted | Activity has been drafted (in doc or presentation) but not piloted. |
| 2 | Piloted | Activity has been piloted in a classroom (not just with 3 friends). |
| 3 | Revised | Activity has been piloted and revised at least once. |
| 4 | Adopted | Activity has been used successfully beyond the author & close collaborators. |
| 5 | Endorsed | Activity has been formally reviewed/endorsed by The POGIL Project. |
[+] How should I format or organize activities?
Most POGIL activities are organized as a series of models followed by sets of critical thinking questions.
Many activities start with an introduction, perhaps with blanks for team name, student names, date, etc.
Many activities (especially those intended to be shared with other instructors) include additional information for instructors, such as: learning objectives, prerequisites, preparation steps, sample answers, facilitation cues, sample assignments, etc.
[+] How should I access activities?
Different people prefer different approaches:
- Provide a URL for the specific activity.
- Provide a URL to a Dropbox folder with multiple activities.
- Consider separate folders for “public” activities anyone can see, and activities “shared” within the group.