A Step Back from Coding An Online Environment and Pedagogy

for Novice Programmers

Andrew Scott,

Mike Watkins,

Duncan McPhee.

University of Glamorgan

ASSCOTT@GLAM.AC.UK

Overview

Novice Programming Issues,

Flowchart Visualisation and Flowchart Based Programming Environments

The Programming Tool and Online Capability

Scaffolding Based Pedagogy

Summary

Question and Answers

Novice Programming Issues

The syntax and semantics of the programming language

Program design and problem solving

The development environment

Paradigm specifics such as objects

Sequence Selection Iteration first

Flowchart Visualisation of Computer Programs

The need for visualisation

Why Flowcharts?

What about UML Activity Diagrams?

Flowchart Animation

Utility of Flowcharts

Flowchart Based Programming Environments

Raptor , Flowchart Interpreter, and Flint– Utilise flowcharts for Animation and Program Creation– No facility to generate code

Structured Flowchart Editor– Flowcharts and code generation– No animation features– No program execution features

Evaluations demonstrate the effectiveness of flowchart visualisation and animation

The Progranimate Programming Aid

Visualises the programming task– Flowcharts and computer code representations,– Program animation and execution

Removes the Complexity of writing code– Automatically generated code in multiple languages– Code animation in sync with flowchart animation

It Is un-intimidating - easy to use and learn– Removes the initial confusion and intimidation

associated with professional environments

A Quick Progranimate Demo

Hyperlink to Progranimate Web Start

WWW Integration

Can now be deployed via Java Webstart

Can also be deployed as an applet– The tool can be visually customised in a number of ways

Files can be program loaded locally or via the Internet

Ideal as the centre piece of an online tutorial

Examples, Iteration Tutorial Biggest Number Program

Vygotsky’s Theory of Social Development

Scaffolding Instructional Strategy– Tutor modelling behaviour or concept for student,– Student imitating tutors behaviour– Tutor fading out instruction and support– Independent problem solving ability

Zone of Proximal Development

Teaching Pedagogy

Covers the basics of– Sequence– Selection– Iteration

Combining the use of– Scaffolding Pedagogy– Programming tool– Online Instructional Environment

Pedagogy Overview

1. Basic programming structures and concept demonstration

2. Guided problem solving

3. Assisted problem solving1. Step1

2. Step2

3. Step3

4. Un-assisted problem solving

Pedagogy Summary

Suitable for the first semester of an introductory course in computing

Ideal as a valuable precursor to an introductory programming course

A solid foundation for more complex programming topics such as objects

Conclusion

Proposed a solution to the problems of novice programmers

– Visual Programming Tool Visualised the programming task, Removed the impact of writing confusing syntax, Overcome the hurdles associated with the development environment,

– Scaffolding pedagogy and online instructional environment

Further work

Any Questions