1 – 9 Debug

Testing and debugging is probably the most common activity of programmers. Things rarely work as planned, so developing a set of testing and debugging strategies will be beneficial to any computational creator.

Goals

· Students can explain testing and debugging practices

· Students can develop a list of strategies for testing and debugging Scratch projects

Objectives

· Students will define testing and debugging in design journals

· Students will debug several Scratch projects

· Students will design a debugging scenario

· Students will share and discuss debugging strategies

Getting Started

· What is testing and debugging? How important is it to programming? Does it happen in your daily life?

Vocabulary

· Testing – Trying different inputs to make sure the program works as expected

· Debugging – Investigating a problem and finding a solution

· Iteration – repetition; step-by-step process

· Incremental – increasing in small amounts

Instruction

1 Go to the buggy projects studio http://scratch.mit.edu/studios/475634/

2 Solve the problems to make the projects work

3 Remix the buggy project and save to your profile

4 Share your solutions with your friends

5 Answer the Wrap-up Questions for each example

Feeling Stuck? Try these…

· Make a list of possible bugs in the program.

· Keep track of your work! This can be a useful reminder of what you have already tried and point you toward what to try next.

· Share and compare your problem finding and problem solving approaches with a neighbor until you find something that works for you!

Want to do more?

· Add code commentary by right clicking on blocks in your scripts. This can help others understand different parts of your program!

· Discuss your testing and debugging practices with a partner.

· Make note of the similarities and differences in your strategies.

Wrap-up Questions

What was the problem?

How did you identify the problem?

How did you fix the problem?

Did others have alternative approaches to finding the problem?

Measurement

· Students remixed and debugged the buggy projects

· Students conducted constructive conversations with friends on debugging strategies

· Students answered all of the Wrap-up Questions in their design journal