Reading skills can predict the programming performance of novices : an eye-tracking study
Due to the character of programming languages, reading ability may have more impact on learning to program than on learning in other subjects. This paper describes an exploratory study of the relationship between reading skills, as perceived through eye tracking, and the ability to program. An empir...
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| Published in: | Perspectives in education Vol. 37; no. 2; pp. 35 - 52 |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Bloemfontein
University of the Free State
01.11.2019
University of the Free State Faculty of Education University of the Free State, Faculty of Education |
| Subjects: | |
| ISSN: | 0258-2236, 2519-593X |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Abstract | Due to the character of programming languages, reading ability may have more impact on learning to program than on learning in other subjects. This paper describes an exploratory study of the relationship between reading skills, as perceived through eye tracking, and the ability to program. An empirical investigation into this relationship determined that students with inadequate reading skills are at risk of failing at introductory programming. As an explanation for the effect of reading ability on learning to program, we argue that a programming language is a special high-level written language and that using it requires high levels of comprehension, inferencing, selective attention, organising and reflecting. As a result, a student’s reading ability will have a considerable effect on learning to program. Lack of reading skills may therefore be a factor that affect students’ ability to learn to program. Eye tracking can expose reading skills and, therefore, be used to identify at-risk introductory programming students. The practical contribution of this research is the demonstration of how eye tracking can reveal reading problems among programming students. We relate these reading problems to their programming performance, providing a theoretical account of the connection. The results suggest that efforts to improve reading skills could have a positive impact on learning to program. |
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| AbstractList | Due to the character of programming languages, reading ability may have more impact on learning to program than on learning in other subjects. This paper describes an exploratory study of the relationship between reading skills, as perceived through eye tracking, and the ability to program. An empirical investigation into this relationship determined that students with inadequate reading skills are at risk of failing at introductory programming. As an explanation for the effect of reading ability on learning to program, we argue that a programming language is a special high-level written language and that using it requires high levels of comprehension, inferencing, selective attention, organising and reflecting. As a result, a student's reading ability will have a considerable effect on learning to program. Lack of reading skills may therefore be a factor that affect students' ability to learn to program. Eye tracking can expose reading skills and, therefore, be used to identify at-risk introductory programming students. The practical contribution of this research is the demonstration of how eye tracking can reveal reading problems among programming students. We relate these reading problems to their programming performance, providing a theoretical account of the connection. The results suggest that efforts to improve reading skills could have a positive impact on learning to program. |
| Author | Schoeman, Marthie |
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| SubjectTerms | Ability Academic achievement Accuracy At risk populations At Risk Students Attention Barriers Cognition & reasoning Comprehension Eye Movements Eye tracking Human-computer interface Identification Inferences Interactive learning Interactive learning environments Introductory Courses Language Languages Learning Learning Strategies Listening Memory Novices Post-secondary education Predictor Variables Programming Programming and programming languages Programming Languages Readers Reading ability Reading Comprehension Reading Difficulties Reading Programs Reading Skills Selective attention Skills Students Success Teaching/learning strategies Thinking Skills Tracking Written language |
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| Title | Reading skills can predict the programming performance of novices : an eye-tracking study |
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