Thesis (M.Tech.: Information technology)- Dept. of Information Technology, Durban University of Technology, 2008.
vii, 131 leaves. / This study aimed to explore the impact of cognitive ability on the understanding
of computer programming by students enrolled for a programming course at the
University of KwaZulu-Natal. The rationale for this study is provided by the
general perception held by the academic community that computer programming
is a difficult faculty to master. This assertion is corroborated by reports of high
failure rates in computer programming courses at tertiary institutes.
A literature review was undertaken to investigate the contribution of other factors
on the ability to achieve competence in computer programmer. Based on the
outcome of the literature review, this study argues that cognitive ability warrants
a higher priority relative to the other factors. As a strategy, cognitive science
theory was consulted to establish a framework to quantify competency in
computer programming. On the basis of this endeavour, two protocols were
identified to facilitate the quantification process. The first was the “deep and
surface” protocol used in previous studies to ascertain students’ cognitive style of
understanding for computer programming. The second was an error analysis
framework which was developed as part of the current study.
These protocols were used as frameworks to underpin the data collection phase
of the study. This study found that at least 50% of the students enrolled in a
computer programming course adopt a superficial approach to the understanding
of computer programming. In order to explain this phenomenon, a cognitive
ability test was administered. Here it was established that at least 39% of these
students have not reached a level of cognitive development that will enable the
invocation of abstract thought. The study also found that this inability to handle
abstractionism, an essential requirement for success in computer programming,
is reflected in the severity of errors made in computer programming assessment
tasks.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:dut/oai:localhost:10321/346 |
| Date | January 2008 |
| Creators | Ranjeeth, Sanjay |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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