Pair Programming
Department of Engineering Education
ENGR 1181
Pair Programming
Two people write code together
• A collaborative way of coding
• In class, one student will act as the driver, one as the navigator, they will
use one computer.
2
https://martinfowler.com/articles/on-pair-programming.html
Department of Engineering Education
ENGR 1181
How to Pair
Driver and Navigator
• THE DRIVER is the person using the keyboard, typing in code.
• THE NAVIGATOR is observing, reviewing, and looking ahead. The
navigator should help by seeking out answers to questions, reviewing
the code on-the-go, looking for errors, and thinking ahead to next steps
when possible.
3
Department of Engineering Education
ENGR 1181
Pair Programming – Benefits and Best Practices
• Benefits for the classroom
─ Knowledge sharing between pair
─ Peer-to-peer teaching
─ Focus is easier to maintain when collaborating
─ Quality is improved
─ More confidence in asking questions
• Best Practices
─ Driver should talk through what they are doing
─ Rotate your partner, and rotate your role
─ Ask a lot of questions, focus on communication
─ Willingness to be vulnerable (willingness to talk about what you don’t
understand)
─ Be mindful of personal space 4
Department of Engineering Education
ENGR 1181
For more info:
• How to Pair Program (Pair Programming Tips from Steven Nunez) -
https://youtu.be/YhV4TaZaB84
• On Pair Programming - https://martinfowler.com/articles/on-pair-
programming.html
