Thesis
The effect of correspondence highlighting on novice programmer instruction
Washington State University
Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
2009
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/100104
Abstract
Many novice programming environments utilize a dual-representation interface to display code textually and graphically. None has explored the design implications of Dual-Coding and Cognitive Load Theories, which offer significant insight into the benefits and pitfalls of presenting novice programmers with two separate views of program code. To address this gap, I have surveyed the existing Dual-Coding and Cognitive Load literature and identified a promising design modification to dual-representation novice programming interfaces: correspondence highlighting. I implemented correspondence highlighting in the ALVIS LIVE! novice programming environment. When an element in the code window of the ALVIS LIVE! environment is selected, ALVIS LIVE! highlights that element and its corresponding element in the animation window is highlighted in a color unique to that element. When an element in the animation window is selected, that element and every reference to that element in the code window highlighted. In an experimental study, this highlighting mechanism failed to provide a significant performance advantage over a version of ALVIS LIVE! without correspondence highlighting. I examine why this might be the case, and propose directions for further research into the effect of cognitive load on novice programmer performance, as well as opportunities for improving novice programming environments at every stage of learner experience.
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Details
- Title
- The effect of correspondence highlighting on novice programmer instruction
- Creators
- Cole Nevins
- Contributors
- Christopher Hundhausen (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, School of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Science (MS), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525088501842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis