Describes a study conducted at Iowa State University that investigated the effects of using guided programing instruction to train analogical reasoning. Two groups of students are compared who received different types of programing instruction, and the far transfer and the near transfer of instruction are explored. (35 references) (LRW)

The effects of 2 different kinds of descriptive models (metaphor and flow chart) on the learning of a computer command language were studied for 37 computer experienced and 47 nonexperienced undergraduates (57 females and 27 males). Results show that metaphor improves performance of most subjects on most transfer items, with inexperienced subjects…

Describes STILE (Students' and Teachers' Integrated Learning Environment) project that used a computer-mediated communication environment to assist student learning on a computer science course for both technical and nontechnical students. Discusses the student-tutor and the student-student exchanges in two of the tutorial conferences. Focuses…

This study investigated changes in student attitudes toward computing in three different university introductory computing courses. Describes the attitude survey used and discusses the results of interviews and focus groups that were held to better understand why attitudes changed in one course but not the others. (Author/LRW)

Provides a classification, review, and critical analysis of instructional systems available on the Web that can be used by students to learn programming. Reviews drill and practice systems, tutorial systems, and simulation systems and analyzes them according to established standards for instructional design. (Author/LRW)

Pair-programming has been found to be very beneficial in educational settings. Students who pair in their introductory programming course are more confident, have greater course completion and pass rates, and are more likely to persist in computer-related majors. Although pairing helps all students, we believe that it is particularly beneficial…

This paper summarizes the results of an investigation into whether women and men have different (concrete and abstract) styles of programming, and whether the standard computing curriculum is therefore biased against women. The theory underpinning the hypothesis is critically reviewed in practical programming contexts. A concrete means of testing…

The present paper describes an educational experiment dealing with teaching the theory of formal languages and automata as well as their application concepts. It presents a practical application of an educational experiment and initial results based on comparative instruction of two samples of students (n = 56). The application concept should…

This article focuses on the similarities and differences in the academic education of software engineers and architects. The rationale for this work stems from our observation, each from the perspective of her or his own discipline, that these two professional design and development processes share some similarities. A pilot study was performed,…

The purpose of this study was to determine if a case-based reasoning tool would improve a student's understanding of the complex concepts in a Java programming course. Subjects for the study were randomly assigned from two sections of an introductory Java programming course. Posttests were used to measure the effects of the case-based reasoning…

Background: Universities have a vested interest in attracting and encouraging enrolment of as many high calibre students as possible. With greater frequency, universities are using marketing techniques to do so. Aims: The study reviewed current student opinions of a programme within a UK university to discover its shortcomings and strengths.…

Two of this article's authors--an art professor and a biology professor--shared a project for advanced biology, art, nursing, and computer science majors involving scientific research that used digital imaging of the brain of the zebrafish, a newly favored laboratory animal. These contemporary and innovative teaching and learning practices were a…

Modern information technology and computer science curricula employ a variety of graphical tools and development environments to facilitate student learning of introductory programming concepts and techniques. While the provision of interactive features and the use of visualization can enhance students' understanding and assist them in grasping…

This paper introduces several hands-on projects that have been used to motivate students in learning various computer networking concepts. These projects are shown to be very useful and applicable to the learners' daily tasks and activities such as emailing, Web browsing, and online shopping and banking, and lead to an unexpected byproduct,…

This paper presents findings from the SiMERR National Survey concerning the need priorities of secondary ICT teachers for professional development, resources and student learning experiences. The findings--drawn from a survey of 237 secondary ICT teachers across Australia--provide an opportunity to compare the needs of teachers working in…