Students arrange scrambled code blocks into correct programs. Stuck? The problem simplifies — fewer distractors, merged blocks, reduced choices. Research-backed and faster than writing from scratch.
Blocks merge, distractors disappear, and subgoal labels appear — all driven by the student's choices.
A proven scaffolding technique: students arrange scrambled code blocks instead of writing from scratch — faster, with comparable learning gains.
Scaffolding works best when learners have a say.
Clarifies purpose without giving away the answer.
Reduces choices while keeping the core decisions intact.
Fewer pieces to arrange, same concept to learn.
Receive targeted feedback on what's wrong without changing the problem.
Three strategies that respond to each learner's struggle.
Every correct block is paired with a plausible-but-wrong alternative that embodies a real mistake.
When a student stalls, related lines merge into larger chunks — fewer decisions, same underlying concept.
Each problem is decomposed into labeled subgoals that reveal the purpose behind each group of blocks.
Built into several curricula — no authoring, no configuration.
Problems are embedded alongside reading and coding exercises. Assign a chapter and students encounter Parsons practice automatically.
No problem banks to browse, no difficulty levels to set. Adaptation happens per-student, automatically.
Teachers see exactly what help each student received from Pathfinder — which scaffolds were offered, which were used, and where students still struggled.
See how Alps compares to what other platforms offer.
| Feature | Alps | Other Platforms |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time, per-student difficulty adjustment | ||
| Paired distractors, adaptively removed | ||
| Block merging when students struggle | ||
| Subgoal labels, revealable as scaffold | ||
| Students choose their scaffold type | ||
| Misconception detection from interaction patterns | ~ | |
| Full interaction traces for teachers | ~ | |
| Integrated in interactive textbooks | ~ |
Start with the free Educator Basic tier. Your students will experience research-backed code scaffolding from day one.