Development of a Card Operation-Based Programming Learning System Focusing on Thinking between the Relations of Parts

Abstract

In this research, we aim to develop a card operation-based programming learning system focusing on thinking between the relations of parts and evaluate its effectiveness from the viewpoint of cognitive load. Programming learners need various abilities such as creativity, mathematics, logical thinking, and structure grasping to write a program. In addition, there are some kinds of cognitive load in the programming learning such as typing, computer operation, mathematical thinking, and algorithm design. We can control cognitive resources by designing learning materials which limit learning activity patterns, and it will be effective for efficiently supporting novice programming learners. Therefore, this paper focuses on the parts consisting of one or more statements in a program and makes learners concentrate on thinking between the relations of the parts. To realize this concept, this paper proposes “card operation-based method”, a method to complete a program by arranging cards. The main target of this paper is college students who are programming beginner. We introduced this system to an actual class and carried out the learning support. As the result, the proposed system was able to focus the learners on the content intended by the instructor while reducing cognitive load.