For over a decade, the BDPA Students platform has been consistently updated and expanded by a dedicated team of volunteers. As a result, it is uniquely designed to meet the specific requirements of a successful YCTP and HSCC program. To date, the platform has supported dozens of chapters, hundreds of students, and thousands of assignments, enabling students across the nation to deliver outstanding programming for their learners.
The BDPA Students software offers instructors a centralized location to monitor student progress and facilitate communication within the Youth Computer Training Program (YCTP). As experienced program supporters, instructors have contributed to the development of the software's tools over several years.
Instructors can either utilize shared resources from other chapters or bring their own curriculum and assignments to the platform. If desired, instructors can choose to share their lessons and projects with other chapters to benefit the community as a whole.
Chapters have complete control over the program they offer, including the ability to start and end the program on their own schedule. The software is technology-agnostic, but for chapters that wish to utilize a traditional LAMP stack, a built-in development and database environment is available to eliminate the need for multiple logins and provide secure access to all student-created work. However, programs teaching languages such as Node, .NET, Java, Rust, or Python will require a separate development environment.
Instructors can utilize the software's grade-book interface to quickly assess student progress, review pending assignments, and identify areas where students may need additional support. The software also provides ongoing assessments and immediate feedback to students upon evaluation of each assignment, empowering instructors to monitor comprehension and provide additional assistance as needed.
The BDPA Students site offers a comprehensive platform that supports students on their learning journey. Within the platform, a community of YCTP learners and instructors provides a supportive network where students can ask questions and engage in global discussion forums with other chapters. All forums are public and monitored by instructors to ensure a safe and positive learning environment.
Once a student has access to the software, they can access all of their chapter's materials and resources, including a syllabus of assignments designed for students to work at their own pace. This personalized approach ensures that students remain engaged and motivated throughout their learning experience. All work is submitted and graded directly through the platform, allowing instructors to provide timely feedback on student solutions.
The software provides students with the ability to track their progress throughout the instructional period, allowing them to stay on track and identify areas where they may need additional support. Students can view all their prior work and upcoming assignments from their syllabus, giving them a clear picture of their progress. For advanced students, the software allows them to work at their own pace, ensuring they remain challenged and get the most out of their learning experience.
BDPAStudents.com is a platform provided by BDPA's Southern Minnesota chapter, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The platform is available to any nationally registered BDPA chapter. If you are interested in utilizing this service to support your program, please contact Toni Adafin for additional information.