Session Outline (30 minutes)
1. Introduction: Setting the Stage (5 minutes)
I will open by introducing vibe coding—programming through natural language prompts to an AI rather than writing all the code manually. I will demonstrate a simple example live, highlighting both its appeal (fast, creative, low barrier) and its risks (incomplete or inaccurate results).
2. Audience Activity: Try Vibe Coding (7 minutes)
Participants will try vibe coding themselves on their own devices (or by suggesting prompts collectively if tech access is limited). I will provide a simple task such as, “Create a dice-rolling simulator.” Afterward, we will discuss the results together: what worked, what failed, and what this means for teaching.
3. Teaching Beyond the Vibe: CT and Design Cycles (10 minutes)
I will connect vibe coding to computational thinking skills—decomposition, abstraction, and algorithmic design—showing how teachers can guide students to analyze AI-generated code for completeness, accuracy, and efficiency. Using a design cycle framework, we will walk through how to refine an initial AI solution into a more robust program. Attendees will suggest improvements, turning the session into a collaborative debugging and design activity.
4. Classroom Strategies & Ethics (8 minutes)
I will conclude by sharing strategies for introducing vibe coding in the classroom to lower barriers and spark engagement, while also scaffolding students toward authentic programming. We will discuss how to frame vibe coding ethically: when it is helpful, when it is insufficient, and how to model responsible use of AI in coding.
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
Define vibe coding and explain how large language models can generate code from natural language prompts.
Incorporate vibe coding into instruction as an entry point for engaging students who may feel intimidated by traditional programming.
Recognize the limits of vibe coding—understanding that AI-generated code often provides only a partial solution and requires human oversight.
Apply computational thinking and the software design process to extend and refine AI-generated outputs into complete, accurate, and purposeful programs.
Leverage vibe coding as a pedagogical tool to connect creativity with authentic programming practice, moving students from passive consumers to active problem solvers.
Yang, T. C., Hsu, Y. C., & Wu, J. Y. (2025). The effectiveness of ChatGPT in assisting high school students in programming learning: evidence from a quasi-experimental research. Interactive Learning Environments, 1-18.
Lo, C. K. (2023). What is the impact of ChatGPT on education? A rapid review of the literature. Education sciences, 13(4), 410.
Meske, C., Hermanns, T., von der Weiden, E., Loser, K. U., & Berger, T. (2025). Vibe Coding as a Reconfiguration of Intent Mediation in Software Development: Definition, Implications, and Research Agenda. arXiv preprint arXiv:2507.21928.
Ray, P. P. (2025). A Review on Vibe Coding: Fundamentals, State-of-the-art, Challenges and Future Directions. Authorea Preprints.
https://girlswhocode.com/news/vibecodingforstudents
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