Issues and Difficulties in Teaching Novice Computer Programming

The main argument promoted in this paper is that computer programming is a cognitively challenging subject and hence good instructional strategies are important in providing the student with optimal learner support. This paper examines some of the major issues in the instruction of computer programming as based on du Boulay’s 1989 framework. For each area of difficulty, some potential solutions are proposed. Solutions are categorized as pedagogical, technological or content based. An attempt is then made to combine these potential solutions and best practices as found in the literature into a learning environment CABLE.

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