Code Classification as a Learning and Assessment Exercise for Novice Programmers

Errol Thompson, Jacqueline Whalley, Raymond Lister, Beth Simon

Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference outputConference publication

Abstract

When students are given code that is very similar in structure or purpose, how well do they actually recognise the similarities and differences? As part of the BRACElet project, a multi-institutional investigation into reading and comprehension skills of novice programmers, students were asked to classify four code segments that found the minimum or maximum in an array of numbers. This paper reports on the analysis of responses to this question and draws conclusions about the students’ ability to recognise the similarities and differences in example code. It then raises questions with respect to an approach to teaching that uses variations in code examples.
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe 19th Annual Conference of the National Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications
Subtitle of host publicationPreparing for the Future — Capitalising on IT
EditorsSamuel Mann, Noel Bridgeman
PublisherNational Advisory Committee on Computing Qualifications
Pages291-298
ISBN (Print)1176-8053
Publication statusPublished - 2006

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Code Classification as a Learning and Assessment Exercise for Novice Programmers'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this