Abstract
The ability to problem solve is one of the key skills that a computing student
requires in order to learn to program. Although students recruited to the more technically
challenging Computer Science degree will have higher mathematical skills at secondary level,
students recruited to the Information Technology degree usually have considerably less
mathematical ability. This paper reflects upon the fundamental techniques that Liverpool
Hope University has adopted to assist in the learning of programming for entry level students
on an undergraduate level degree in Computer Science and Information Technology. It
examines the key principles of design, development and practice and how the teaching
incorporates these principles into the first year courses. It presents a set of strategies
developed at Liverpool Hope University over several years which have been successful in
promoting programming as an interesting and worthwhile discipline. The development of
bespoke software and customised text books to guide teaching and learning is discussed, as
is students’ response, via a questionnaire, to these methods of learning programming.
Original language | English |
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Journal | ITALICS (Innovation in Teaching and Learning in Information and Computer Sciences) |
Volume | 6 |
Issue number | 4 |
Publication status | Published - 2007 |