research-article

Adaptive Immediate Feedback Can Improve Novice Programming Engagement and Intention to Persist in Computer Science

Authors:

Thomas W. Price,

Tiffany BarnesAuthors Info & Claims

ICER '20: Proceedings of the 2020 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research

Pages 194 - 203

https://doi.org/10.1145/3372782.3406264

Published: 07 August 2020 Publication History

Abstract

Prior work suggests that novice programmers are greatly impacted by the feedback provided by their programming environments. While some research has examined the impact of feedback on student learning in programming, there is no work (to our knowledge) that examines the impact of adaptive immediate feedback within programming environments on students' desire to persist in computer science (CS). In this paper, we integrate an adaptive immediate feedback (AIF) system into a block-based programming environment. Our AIF system is novel because it provides personalized positive and corrective feedback to students in real time as they work. In a controlled pilot study with novice high-school programmers, we show that our AIF system significantly increased students' intentions to persist in CS, and that students using AIF had greater engagement (as measured by their lower idle time) compared to students in the control condition. Further, we found evidence that the AIF system may improve student learning, as measured by student performance in a subsequent task without AIF. In interviews, students found the system fun and helpful, and reported feeling more focused and engaged. We hope this paper spurs more research on adaptive immediate feedback and the impact of programming environments on students' intentions to persist in CS.

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Adaptive Immediate Feedback Can Improve Novice Programming Engagement and Intention to Persist in Computer Science

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cover image ACM Conferences

ICER '20: Proceedings of the 2020 ACM Conference on International Computing Education Research

August 2020

364 pages

ISBN:9781450370929

DOI:10.1145/3372782

General Chairs:
Anthony Robins
University of Otago, New Zealand
,
Adon Moskal
Otago Polytechnic, New Zealand
,
Amy J. Ko
University of Washington, United States
,
Renée McCauley
College of Charleston, United States
,
Program Chairs:
Anthony Robins
University of Otago, New Zealand
,
Amy J. Ko
University of Washington, United States

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