The CodeGrade built-in editor was released in April 2022, read more here! It was built as a lightweight IDE for students that were just initially learning how to program, or part of the “Coding to Understand” group of learners (learn more about the 3 types of coding students here). CodeGrade's editor supports over 180 programming languages and allows students to work on larger code projects too. How does the CodeGrade editor benefit these students?
- The editor will replace the need for them to set up a local environment, especially when combined with AutoTest. These users are used to tools like Google Docs, not Vim or Visual Studio, so features like auto-save are important but extending the editor with custom code is less important. Students can focus on learning to code and not setting up a local environment.
- With the in-browser code execution, students can run their code before submitting their work to see which tests have passed, and how they can improve. From there you can make iterative improvements fast until you are confident with your submission.
- CodeGrade’s IDE is fully integrated in your LMS (like Canvas, Brightspace, Blackboard or Open edX). Students can kick start their first steps in coding in a known environment and do not need to use or access a different tool or website.
How can you use the CodeGrade editor in your classroom?
High schools and Introduction to programming courses:
For high schools and introduction to programming courses, transitioning from block-based coding to written code can be a daunting challenge for students. With CodeGrade's user-friendly editor, students can start coding right away and receive instant feedback on their work. Additionally, CodeGrade's exercise bank, included in all licenses, provides students with ample opportunities to hone their coding skills, while saving valuable time for teachers who no longer have to spend hours grading assignments manually.
At the university level, introductory programming courses often attract students with diverse levels of prior experience in coding. With the help of CodeGrade's intuitive editor, instructors can empower their students to start programming right away. This versatile tool can be used to create formative assessments and in-class quizzes, which reinforce the concepts recently covered and help students master the fundamentals of programming.