Do Current Online Coding Tutorial Systems Address Novice Programmer Difficulties?

Alasmari, O. A., Singer, J. and Bikanga Ada, M. (2024) Do Current Online Coding Tutorial Systems Address Novice Programmer Difficulties? In: 15th International Conference on Education Technology and Computers (ICETC '23), Barcelona, Spain, 26-28 Sep 2023, pp. 242-248. ISBN 9798400709111 (doi: 10.1145/3629296.3629333)

Abstract

Mastering programming skills is a multifaceted challenge, particularly for novice learners. While abundant existing literature examines students’ learning obstacles and proposes potential resolutions—predominantly through questionnaire-based methodologies—this study presents a fresh perspective. This paper focuses on identifying programming learning impediments as presented in the literature, paired with an exploration of the supportive features intrinsic to online coding platforms that could potentially mitigate these difficulties. The findings reveal that several of these online coding systems lack crucial features that could effectively address the learning difficulties experienced by novice programmers. This lack stresses an urgent call to create more robust and learner-centric environments that better facilitate the acquisition of programming skills for beginners, thus bridging the identified gap in the existing pedagogical tools.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Keywords: Computer programming, difficulties, learning, online coding tool.
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Singer, Dr Jeremy and Bikanga Ada, Dr Mireilla and Alasmari, Ohud Abdullah F
• Authors: Alasmari, O. A., Singer, J., and Bikanga Ada, M.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering; College of Science and Engineering > School of Computing Science
• ISBN: 9798400709111
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 Copyright held by the owner/author(s)
• First Published: First published in ICETC '23: Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Education Technology and Computers
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy