Improving learning outcomes for first year introductory programming students

Abstract

The first year transition to university can be particularly difficult for students in technical degree programmes such as Information Technology (IT). These programmes are generally acknowledged to have high attrition rates. It has been suggested that poor understanding of threshold concepts in introductory computer programming courses may be partly responsible for this attrition. The current project attempts to improve student learning outcomes for the computer assignment threshold concept. To achieve this outcome, an innovative visualisation application was developed and incorporated into the curriculum of a first semester first year introductory programming course. Substantially improved student learning outcomes were observed after its successful deployment. Subsequent tracking indicates the innovation continues to successfully scaffold student learning of the computer assignment threshold concept.