ERIC Number: EJ833965
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2005-Sep
Pages: 19
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0899-3408
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
A Long-Term Investigation of the Comprehension of OOP Concepts by Novices
Ragonis, Noa; Ben-Ari, Mordechai
Computer Science Education, v15 n3 p203-221 Sep 2005
This article describes research on the learning of object-oriented programming (OOP) by novices. During two academic years, we taught OOP to high school students, using Java and BlueJ. Our approach to teaching featured: objects-first, teaching composed classes relatively early, deferring the teaching of main methods, and focusing on class structure before algorithms. The research used a constructivist qualitative research methodology using observations and field notes, audio and video recordings, and an analysis of artifacts such as homework assignments. The findings were divided into four primary categories: class vs. object, instantiation and constructors, simple vs. composed classes, and program flow. In total, 58 conceptions and difficulties were identified. Nevertheless, at the end of the courses, the students understood the basic principles of OOP. The two main contributions of this research are: (i) the breadth and depth of its investigation into the concepts held by novices studying OOP, and (ii) the nature of the constructivist qualitative research methodology. (Contains 4 notes and 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Constructivism (Learning), Investigations, Concept Teaching, Programming, Computer Science Education, Portfolio Assessment, Fundamental Concepts, Instructional Design, Student Attitudes, Experimental Groups, Aptitude Treatment Interaction, Instructional Effectiveness, High School Students, Foreign Countries
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: High Schools
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Israel
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Author Affiliations: N/A