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Pre-entry Attributes Thought to Influence the Performance of Students in Computer Programming

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ICT Education (SACLA 2017)

Part of the book series: Communications in Computer and Information Science ((CCIS,volume 730))

Abstract

This study attempted to isolate seven pre-entry attributes that were thought to influence the performance of students in the module Development Software 1 (programming). The pre-entry attributes included students’ problem solving ability, socio-economic status, educational background, performance in school Mathematics, English language proficiency, digital literacy and previous programming experience. We asked to what extent these pre-entry attributes influence our students’ performance in computer programming. We found a correlation between the problem solving, digital literacy and previous programming experience with performance in programming. No correlation was found between socio-economic status, educational background, Grade 12 Mathematics and English marks with performance in programming.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    Explanation for readers from outside South Africa: the ‘National Diploma’ in South Africa consists of a vocational 2-year curriculum below the level of a Bachelor of Science degree.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Information Systems, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa

    Glenda Barlow-Jones

  2. Department of Science and Technology Education, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, South Africa

    Duan van der Westhuizen

Authors
  1. Glenda Barlow-Jones
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  2. Duan van der Westhuizen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Glenda Barlow-Jones .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. North-West-University , Potchefstroom, South Africa

    Janet Liebenberg

  2. University of Pretoria , Pretoria, South Africa

    Stefan Gruner

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Barlow-Jones, G., van der Westhuizen, D. (2017). Pre-entry Attributes Thought to Influence the Performance of Students in Computer Programming. In: Liebenberg, J., Gruner, S. (eds) ICT Education. SACLA 2017. Communications in Computer and Information Science, vol 730. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69670-6_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69670-6_15

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-69669-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-69670-6

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