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Introducing Modelling and Code Comprehension from the First Days of an Introductory Programming Class

Published: 06 January 2023 Publication History

Abstract

An approach to code comprehension in an introductory programming class is presented, drawing on the Text Surface, Functional and Machine aspects of Schulte’s Block Model, and emphasising programming as a modelling activity involving problem and machine domains. To visually connect the domains and a program, a key diagram conceptualising the three aspects lies at the approach’s heart, alongside instructional exposition and exercises, which are all presented. Students find the approach challenging initially, but most recognise its value later, and identify, unexpectedly, the value of the approach for problem decomposition, planning and coding.

References

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Peter Donaldson and Quintin Cutts. 2018. Flexible Low-Cost Activities to Develop Novice Code Comprehension Skills in Schools. In Proceedings of the 13th Workshop in Primary and Secondary Computing Education (Potsdam, Germany) (WiPSCE ’18). Association for Computing Machinery, New York, NY, USA, Article 19, 4 pages. https://doi.org/10.1145/3265757.3265776
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Elliot Soloway. 1985. From Problems to Programs Via Plans: The Content and Structure of Knowledge for Introductory LISP Programming. Journal of Educational Computing Research 1 (05 1985). https://doi.org/10.2190/WK8C-BYCF-VQ5C-E307
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  • (2023)The Search for Meaning: Inferential Strategic Reading Comprehension in ProgrammingProceedings of the 2023 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research - Volume 110.1145/3568813.3600135(1-14)Online publication date: 7-Aug-2023

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  1. Introducing Modelling and Code Comprehension from the First Days of an Introductory Programming Class

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      cover image ACM Other conferences
      CEP '23: Proceedings of the 7th Conference on Computing Education Practice
      January 2023
      40 pages
      ISBN:9781450398213
      DOI:10.1145/3573260
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      Published: 06 January 2023

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      Author Tags

      1. code comprehension
      2. computational thinking
      3. introductory programming
      4. modelling

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      CEP '23
      CEP '23: Computing Education Practice
      January 6, 2023
      Durham, United Kingdom

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      • (2023)The Search for Meaning: Inferential Strategic Reading Comprehension in ProgrammingProceedings of the 2023 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research - Volume 110.1145/3568813.3600135(1-14)Online publication date: 7-Aug-2023

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