Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Issues and Difficulties in Teaching Novice Computer Programming

  • Conference paper
Innovative Techniques in Instruction Technology, E-learning, E-assessment, and Education

Abstract

The main argument promoted in this paper is that computer programming is a cognitively challenging subject and hence good instructional strategies are important in providing the student with optimal learner support. This paper examines some of the major issues in the instruction of computer programming as based on du Boulay’s 1989 framework. For each area of difficulty, some potential solutions are proposed. Solutions are categorized as pedagogical, technological or content based. An attempt is then made to combine these potential solutions and best practices as found in the literature into a learning environment CABLE.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. O.Astrachan, & T. Selby ,J. Unger , An Object-Oriented, Apprenticeship Approach to Data Structures using Simulation , paper in proceedings of FIE ’96, Frontiers in Education, 2006

    Google Scholar 

  2. S.Garner, Cognitive Load Reduction in Problem Solving Domains, Edith Cowan University, 2000.

    Google Scholar 

  3. AECT 2001. The handbook of Research for Educational Communications and Technology. In URL: http://www.aect.org/intranet/publications/edtech/24/24-05.html [accessed June 12th 2003]

  4. D.G.Moursound, Increasing your expertise as a problem solver: Some roles of computers. Eugene, OR: ISTE. Copyright (C) David Moursund 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  5. W.Au, Logo programming: Problem solving and instructional methods. Unpublished doctoral dissertation. Palmerston North, New Zealand: Massey University, 1999.

    Google Scholar 

  6. A. Blair. amp; T. Hume.T.An Exploration of the Application of Constructive learning Techniques to Software development using Object orientation as a Vehicle. Paper, presented at CTI Annual Conference, 1994. In URL : http://www.ulst.ac.uk/cticomp/therhume.html, retrieved March 12th , 2003

  7. J.Tholander., K. Karlgren, R.Ramberg, Cognitive Apprenticeship in Training for Conceptual Modeling, 1998 in URL[http://www.dsv.su.se/∼klas/Publications/webnet98.pdf] accessed July 15th 2003

  8. J.B.H. du Boulay, Some difficulties of learning to program. In E. Soloway and J.C. Spohrer, (Eds.), Studying the Novice Programmer (pp. 431-436) Hillsdale: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1989.

    Google Scholar 

  9. A. Blackwell, What is programming? In J. Kuljis, L. Baldwin & R. Scoble (Eds.), Proceedings of the 14th Workshop of the Psychology of Programming Interest Group,Brunel University, June 2002. Retrieved April 4th, 2005 from http:// www.ppig.org.

  10. M. Kolling, M.. The problem of teaching object-oriented programming. Part II: Environments, 1999.Retrieved November 20, 2004, from http://www.mip.ou.dk/~mik/papers/oo-environments.pdf.

  11. J. F. Pane, & B.A.,Myers, Usability Issues in the Design of Novice Programming system, Carnegie Mellon University, School of Computer Science Technical Report CMU-CS-96-132, Pittsburgh, PA, August 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  12. A. Robins, J, Rountree, & N. Rountree, N. Learning and teaching programming: A review and discussion. Computer Science Education, 13(2),137–172., 2003

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. H. Balzert, E-Learning Platform, W3L, Wirtschaftsinformatik 46, 128/129, 20-31, 2004.

    Google Scholar 

  14. Rist, R. S. (1995). Program Structure and Design. Cognitive Science, 19, 507-562.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  15. Lui, A. K., & Kwan, R., Poon, M., & Cheung, Y. H. Y. (2004). Saving Weak Programming Students: Applying Constructivism in a First Programming Course. SIGCE Bulletin, 36(2).

    Google Scholar 

  16. Diethelm, I., Geiger, L., & Zundorf, A. (2005). Teaching Modeling with Objects First. Retrieved July 26th, 2005 from[http://www.se.eecs.uni-kassel.de/se/publications/DGZ05.pdf].

  17. Blackwell, A. (2001). First Steps in Programming: A Rationale for Attention Investment Models. Presented at IEEE Symposia on Human-Centric Computing Languages and Environments. Arlington, VA, 2-10.

    Google Scholar 

  18. Lahtinen, E., Ala-Mutka, K. & Jarvinen, H. M. (2005). A Study of the Difficulties of Novice Programmers: Proceedings of ITiCSE, 2005 (pp. 14 – 18). NewYork NY: ACM.

    Google Scholar 

  19. Brusilovsky, P., Kouchnirenko A., Miller P., & Tomek, I. (1994). Teaching programming to novices: A review of approaches and tools. In T.Ottman, I. Tomek (Eds.) Proceedings of ED-MEDIA’94 – World Conference on Educational Multimedia and Hypermedia (pp 103-110). Vancouver, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  20. L.McIver, Syntactic & Semantic Issues in Introductory Programming education. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Monash University: Clayton, Victoria, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  21. D. Sleeman, R.T. Putman, J. Baxter, & L. Kuspa. An introductory Pascal class: A case study of students’ errors. In R. E. Mayer (Ed.) Teaching and learning computer programming (pp 207-235). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 1988.

    Google Scholar 

  22. T. R. G. Green, M. Petre, & R.K.E. Bellamy, Comprehensibility of Visual and Textual Programs: A Test of Superlativism Against the ‘Match-Mismatch’ Conjecture. Empirical Studies of Programming: Fourth Workshop. (pp. 121-146). Norwood, NJ: Ablex, 1991.

    Google Scholar 

  23. M. Pedroni, Teaching Introductory Programming with the Inverted Curriculum Approach, Diploma thesis, Department Computer Science, ETH Zurich, 2003. [Electronic Version].

    Google Scholar 

  24. R.Bruhn, & P. Burton, Teaching programming in the OOP Era. The SIGCSE Bulletin, 35(2), 111-114, 2003.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. J.C. Winnips, Scaffolding by design. A model for www learner support. Unpublished PHD dissertation, University of Twente, 2001.

    Google Scholar 

  26. A.Collins, J.Brown, & A.Holum, Cognitive apprenticeship: Making Thinking Visible, 1991. Retrieved March 20, 2004, from http://www.sapio.org/demo/cognitive_apprenticeship.htm

  27. S. Jarvela, The Cognitive Apprenticeship Model in a Technologically Rich Learning Environment: Interpreting the Learning Interaction. Learning and Instruction 5(3), 237-259, 1995.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. J. Levin, & M.Waugh, Teaching teleapprenticeships: Electronic network-based educational frameworks for improving teacher education. Journal of Interactive Learning Environments, 6(1-2), 39-58, 1998.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. J.Levin, A 2020 Vision: Education in the next two decades, 2002. Retrieved January 18, 2004, from http://w3.ed.uiuiuc.edu/faculty/J-Levin/2020-vision.html.

  30. I.T. Chan Mow, W.K. Au,and G.Yates, “The impact of the CABLE approach in teaching computer programming” , 2006.

    Google Scholar 

  31. I.T. Chan Mow, W.K. Au,and G.Yates, “The impact of the CABLE approach in teaching computer programming” , 2004

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. National University of Samoa, PO Box 1622, Apia, Samoa

    I.T. Chan Mow

Authors
  1. I.T. Chan Mow
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Civil Engineering, Polytechnic Institute of New York University, 333 Jay Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, USA

    Magued Iskander

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

About this paper

Cite this paper

Mow, I.C. (2008). Issues and Difficulties in Teaching Novice Computer Programming. In: Iskander, M. (eds) Innovative Techniques in Instruction Technology, E-learning, E-assessment, and Education. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8739-4_36

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-8739-4_36

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4020-8738-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4020-8739-4

  • eBook Packages: Computer ScienceComputer Science (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation