Difficulties of Learning Programming in Higher Education: A Systematic Literature Review of Recent Research

Abstract

The difficulty of learning computer programming has been widely discussed by researchers. Many factors contribute to the challenges faced in teaching and learning programming. This systematic review aims to identify these difficulties in higher education introductory programming courses and explore instructional solutions. We reviewed studies from multiple online databases, initially identifying 648 studies, of which 92 focused on programming difficulties. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 23 articles were selected for analysis. The factors found to affect students’ programming learning were lack of knowledge about programming concepts and constructs, misconceptions related to syntax and semantics, programming skills, problem-solving skills, and the inability to create a mental model of the computer. When the suggested instructional solutions for the concepts and processes that students have the most difficulty with were examined, suggestions emerged to improve their programming skills, solution designs, and the coding process. Unlike many studies that focus only on specific challenges, this review provides a comprehensive analysis, offering strategies for both students and instructors to overcome programming difficulties.

Keywords

• difficulties of learning programming
• programming challenges
• introductory programming courses
• novice programmers.

Yükseköğretimde Programlama Öğrenmenin Zorlukları: Son Araştırmalara İlişkin Sistematik Bir Literatür Taraması

Abstract

Bilgisayar programlama öğrenmenin zorluğu araştırmacılar tarafından geniş çapta tartışılmıştır. Programlama öğretimi ve öğreniminde karşılaşılan zorluklara birçok faktör etki etmektedir. Bu sistematik derlemenin amacı, yükseköğretimde programlamaya giriş derslerinde karşılaşılan bu zorlukları tespit etmek ve öğretimsel çözümleri araştırmaktır. Birden fazla çevrimiçi veri tabanında yer alan çalışmalar incelenmiş, 92'si programlama zorluklarına odaklanan 648 çalışma tespit edilmiştir. Makale seçme kriterleri uygulandıktan sonra, analiz için 23 makale seçilmiştir. Öğrencilerin programlama öğrenimini etkileyen faktörler arasında programlama kavramları ve yapıları hakkında bilgi eksikliği, sözdizimi ve anlambilim ile ilgili kavram yanılgıları, programlama becerileri, problem çözme becerileri ve bilgisayarın zihinsel bir modelini oluşturamama yer almaktadır. Öğrencilerin en çok zorlandıkları kavram ve süreçler için önerilen öğretimsel çözümler incelendiğinde, programlama becerilerini, çözüm tasarımlarını ve kodlama sürecini geliştirmeye yönelik öneriler ortaya çıkmıştır. Sadece belirli zorluklara odaklanan birçok çalışmanın aksine, bu derleme kapsamlı bir analiz sunarak hem öğrenciler hem de eğitmenler için programlama zorluklarının üstesinden gelmeye yönelik stratejiler önermektedir.

Keywords

• programlama öğrenme zorlukları
• programlama zorlukları
• programlamaya giriş dersleri
• acemi programcılar.

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