Parsons problems are short scripts with the lines shuffled. The task is to order the lines so the script works.

This approach allows beginners to focus on the logic of the code, rather than syntax or other typographic details

Created march 2019 for use on the module PSY6422 Data Management and Visualisation. R problems added 2021.

Python problems assume you will be using Python 3 and the pandas library

R problems assume you are using R 3.6+

(origin)

Parsons, D. and Haden, P. Parsons’ programming puzzles: a fun and effective learning tool for first programming courses. In Proc. of ACE 2006, Hobart, Australia, 157-163, January 16 – 19, 2006.

(evidence of usefulness)

Denny, P., Luxton-Reilly, A., & Simon, B. (2008, September). Evaluating a new exam question: Parsons problems. In Proceedings of the fourth international workshop on computing education research (pp. 113-124). ACM.