A Step Back from Coding An Online Environment and Pedagogy for Novice Programmers

1. 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

2. Overview • Novice Programming Issues, • Flowchart Visualisation and Flowchart Based Programming Environments • The Programming Tool and Online Capability • Scaffolding Based Pedagogy • Summary • Question and Answers

3. 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

4. Flowchart Visualisation of Computer Programs • The need for visualisation • Why Flowcharts? • What about UML Activity Diagrams? • Flowchart Animation • Utility of Flowcharts

5. 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

6. 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

7. A Quick Progranimate Demo • Hyperlink to Progranimate Web Start

8. 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

9. 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

10. Teaching Pedagogy • Covers the basics of • Sequence • Selection • Iteration • Combining the use of • Scaffolding Pedagogy • Programming tool • Online Instructional Environment

11. Pedagogy Overview • Basic programming structures and concept demonstration • Guided problem solving • Assisted problem solving • Step1 • Step2 • Step3 • Un-assisted problem solving

12. 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

13. 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

14. Any Questions