A Two-Tier Test-based Approach to Improving Students' Computer-Programming Skills in a Web-Based Learning Environment

• Published in: Educational Technology ＆ Society Vol. 18; no. 1; pp. 198 - 210
• Main Authors: Yang, Tzu-Chi, Hwang, Gwo-Jen, Yang, Stephen J. H, Hwang, Gwo-Haur
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Palmerston North International Forum of Educational Technology ＆ Society 01.01.2015; International Forum of Educational Technology & Society
• Subjects: CAI; College Science; College Students; Computer Assisted Instruction; Computer programming; Computer Science; Computer science education; Control Groups; Diagnostic Tests; Educational activities; Educational Assessment; Educational Environment; Educational Strategies; Educational Technology; Engineering education; Experimental Groups; Experiments; Feedback (Response); Foreign Countries; Full Length Articles; Fundamental Concepts; Guidance; High Achievement; Influence of Technology; Instructional Effectiveness; Java; Knowledge Level; Learner Engagement; Learning; Learning Activities; Learning Problems; Learning Strategies; Literature Reviews; Methods; Misconception; Misconceptions; Online education; Online learning; Pretests Posttests; Prior Learning; Problem Solving; Program Evaluation; Programming; Programming Languages; Questionnaires; Researchers; Retention (Psychology); Science Education; Skill learning; Skills; Statistical Analysis; Student Attitudes; Students; Study and teaching; Taiwan; Web Based Instruction; Taiwan; Computer programming; Computer-assisted learning; Web-based learning environments; Two-tier test
• ISSN: 1176-3647; 1436-4522; 1436-4522

Computer programming is an important skill for engineering and computer science students. However, teaching and learning programming concepts and skills has been recognized as a great challenge to both teachers and students. Therefore, the development of effective learning strategies and environments for programming courses has become an important issue. To address this issue, this study proposes a two-tier test-based learning system to enhance students' learning outcomes in computer-programming courses. We conducted an experiment on a college computer-programming course to evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The experimental results show that the proposed method not only improves the students' attitude toward learning the programming language, but also enhances their programming skills.