Teaching and learning computer programming

Abstract

To improve introductory computer science courses and to update the teaching of computer programming, new teaching methods emphasizing structured programming and top-down design have been presented and a variety of automated instructional tools have been developed. The purpose of this paper is: (1) to survey a number of methods and tools used in the teaching of programming; (2) to present, with the aid of this survey, a number of areas where beginning programmers experience difficulties; (3) to present ways of improving some of the tools; and (4) to propose other possible aids.This paper is organized as follows. Section 1 introduces the topic and purpose of the paper. Section 2 reviews several teaching methods discussed in the literature. Section 3 surveys various student-oriented interactive and noninteractive tools. Section 4 discusses nonstudent-oriented aids and presents alternatives by discussing how to adapt similar aids to a student environment. Section 5 provides a summary of the paper and a conclusion. Pertinent problem areas and students' viewpoints are presented in each section.