Pre-programming analysis tutors help students learn basic programming concepts

ABSTRACT

In this paper, we describe a scaffolding technique - pre-programming-analysis guided programming (PAGP) - developed to help students grasp basic programming concepts. Two different ways to implement the PAGP process in a classroom were developed and then compared: one for students to fill out an analysis form, and the other for students to interact with online cognitive tutors. Our results show that the PAGP process helps students learn better and faster, especially with the assistance of the online tutors.

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INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Curriculum

Additional Classification:
  K. Computing Milieux
  K.3 COMPUTERS AND EDUCATION
      K.3.2 Computer and Information Science Education
          Subjects: Computer science education

General Terms:
Design, Experimentation, Human Factors

Keywords:
CS1, active learning, cognitive tutors, curriculum development, introduction to programming, pedagogy, scaffolding