TY - GEN
T1 - Exploring the Impact of Multiple Representations in Introductory Programming
T2 - 24th International Conference on Computing Education Research, Koli Calling 2024
AU - Sibia, Naaz
AU - Osorio, Valeria Ramirez
AU - Bernuy, Angela Zavaleta
AU - Aivaloglou, Efthimia
AU - Engineer, Rutwa
AU - Petersen, Andrew
AU - Liut, Michael
AU - Nobre, Carolina
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - This pilot study explores how visualization strategies, grounded in multiple representations theory, impact novice students’ engagement, and cognitive load during program tracing tasks. Students were were shown a visualization of the three-variable swap problem at the start of an introductory programming course (CS1) at a large public North American research-intensive university. We compared three conditions: interactive multiple representations, Python Tutor (a single-representation tool), and text-only methods. Preliminary results indicate that interactive multiple representations increase engagement for students with prior programming experience, while no significant differences were observed for students without prior experience. These findings suggest that while multiple representations may boost engagement, identifying how to effectively support students of all experience levels and reduce cognitive load requires further study.
AB - This pilot study explores how visualization strategies, grounded in multiple representations theory, impact novice students’ engagement, and cognitive load during program tracing tasks. Students were were shown a visualization of the three-variable swap problem at the start of an introductory programming course (CS1) at a large public North American research-intensive university. We compared three conditions: interactive multiple representations, Python Tutor (a single-representation tool), and text-only methods. Preliminary results indicate that interactive multiple representations increase engagement for students with prior programming experience, while no significant differences were observed for students without prior experience. These findings suggest that while multiple representations may boost engagement, identifying how to effectively support students of all experience levels and reduce cognitive load requires further study.
KW - code tracing
KW - introductory programming
KW - multiple representations theory
KW - visualization
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85215512321&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1145/3699538.3699587
DO - 10.1145/3699538.3699587
M3 - Conference contribution
AN - SCOPUS:85215512321
T3 - ACM International Conference Proceeding Series
BT - Proceedings of 24th International Conference on Computing Education Research, Koli Calling 2024
PB - ACM
Y2 - 14 November 2024 through 17 November 2024
ER -