This chapter outlines steps for implementing pair programming, a form of peer collaboration on the computer, with students in- and out-of-school, including:

• Guidance in how to pair students.
• How to teach pair programing roles and responsibilities.
• Examples of what strong collaboration between pairs looks like.
• Examples of what it looks like when pairs are struggling and suggestions to support them to be more effective.

The chapter is designed to present guidance and ideas but teachers know their students and should customize according to what works best for their students and their goals during programming activities. A free Pair Programming Toolkit (see link below) by the authors holds more details, activity plans and background research on the pair programming strategy.

Discuss/Reflect:

• Why do you want your students to pair program? Is it to teach collaboration? Teach programming skills? Address hardware limitations? Address variation in students’ programming experience? Or something else?
  Identifying your motivation can help determine the amount of time and focus you spend on certain pair programming activities.
• How much prior experience do your students have with collaboration? What strategies have been successful when having students work collaboratively in your classroom off the computer? Tap into those strategies when teaching and supporting students to pair program.
• What is your idea of what effective pair programing looks like? As you work with students, be open to revising that idea based on different students and different pairings to help you support the success of all students in your classroom.
• What are fun ways that the class can acknowledge and celebrate the behaviors of effective, equitable programming pairs of students?