Investigating the impact of adopting Python and C languages for introductory engineering programming courses

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Titel: Investigating the impact of adopting Python and C languages for introductory engineering programming courses
Autoren: Dennis G. Balreira, Thiago L. T. da Silveira, Juliano A. Wickboldt
Quelle: Computer Applications in Engineering Education. 31:47-62
Verlagsinformationen: Wiley, 2022.
Publikationsjahr: 2022
Schlagwörter: 4. Education, 05 social sciences, 0503 education
Beschreibung: Programming is one of the most fundamental initial skills for engineering students. Institutions that offer engineering courses have the challenge of deciding how to deliver this subject since it requires unique thinking from students. This paper addresses the impact of adopting C and Python programming languages in introductory programming courses for engineering students. A case study was conducted in the university's introductory programming course, analyzing student data. This approach divides the students into two groups according to the programming language: C and Python. Data were gathered and analyzed about their learning experiences through questionnaires, assignment scores, and students' questions posted in the class online forums. The experiment was repeated in two consecutive semesters. The main results favor Python regarding learning confidence, motivation, and general programming design decisions while favoring C for the easiness of learning data structures. This study may be helpful for institutions considering designing a new introductory programming course or redesigning existing ones.
Publikationsart: Article
Sprache: English
ISSN: 1099-0542
1061-3773
DOI: 10.1002/cae.22570
Rights: Wiley Online Library User Agreement
Dokumentencode: edsair.doi...........41ea60e3bac6bb553d49e282de4dbd3c
Datenbank: OpenAIRE
Beschreibung
Abstract:Programming is one of the most fundamental initial skills for engineering students. Institutions that offer engineering courses have the challenge of deciding how to deliver this subject since it requires unique thinking from students. This paper addresses the impact of adopting C and Python programming languages in introductory programming courses for engineering students. A case study was conducted in the university's introductory programming course, analyzing student data. This approach divides the students into two groups according to the programming language: C and Python. Data were gathered and analyzed about their learning experiences through questionnaires, assignment scores, and students' questions posted in the class online forums. The experiment was repeated in two consecutive semesters. The main results favor Python regarding learning confidence, motivation, and general programming design decisions while favoring C for the easiness of learning data structures. This study may be helpful for institutions considering designing a new introductory programming course or redesigning existing ones.
ISSN:10990542
10613773
DOI:10.1002/cae.22570