Learning computer programming through dynamic representation of computer functioning: evaluation of a new learning package for Pascal
✍ Scribed by Leonard Goodwin; Mohammad Sanati
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 1986
- Weight
- 871 KB
- Volume
- 25
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0020-7373
No coin nor oath required. For personal study only.
✦ Synopsis
This paper describes and evaluates a new approach to teaching the beginning Pascal programming course at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. At the heart of this approach is a new computer learning package, called PASLAB, which allows students to understand what is happening inside the computer relative to statements in Pascal programs constructed by an expert.
There were 322 students participating in the evaluation under traditional conditions in 1984, and 296 students participating under the new conditions in 1985. Comparison between the two groups was made by examining the respective regression equations predicting final grade for each set of students. While the characteristics of both sets of students were very similar, the regression equations were markedly different.
Under traditional conditions, background characteristics of students, including programming experience, had a major impact on the grades those students received. With Paslab in place, the impact of those background characteristics decreased while the importance of psychological orientations (motivation) increased. There were no differences in performance with respect to gender.
Further research is needed to test the impact of Paslab in non-technical institutions. The positive results of this study suggest the fruitfulness of developing additional computer learning packages on the same principles as Paslab to be used in other computer-science courses as well as in other fileds.