Programme / Paper

Abstract

Based on several years of observation, investigation and analysis of students' learning behaviours we believe that identification and adoption of innovative ways of teaching computer programming in higher education is crucial. A dynamically delivered visualization-based approach was developed with the intention both of making programming concepts easier to understand and of improving the students' mental model of how a program is “working”.

To help students develop a disciplined and systematic approach to their learning and to encourage an effective, methodical way of thinking to the solving of programming problems, learning aids were designed and employed in our teaching.

A survey was conducted to verify the effect of using dynamic visual teaching materials and the learning aids. An increased pass rate was achieved and positive comments were received, which indicates a preliminary success.