Supporting Novice Programmers via the Lens of Instructional Design

Abstract

As the need for skilled computer programmers increases each year globally, so does the need for learning environments that serve the novice programmer. This literature review aims to contribute to the field of computer science education by highlighting successful practices reported in the literature and describing those practices through the lens of instructional design. As the demand for programmers increases, the success of novice programmers remains stagnant. By reviewing research-based instructional practices through the lens of instructional design, instructional designers, researchers, and CS, instructors can make purposeful design decisions in the future that help to meet the needs of the growing number of novice programmers. This chapter highlights the importance of instructional design theories and learning methods in meeting the diverse needs of computer science learners.