Sketching Flow Diagrams: An Instructional Approach to Scaffold Design Skills in Novice Programmers

• In Event: Supporting Learners in Computing Education

Abstract

This study aims to examine sketching to improve novice programmer performance on code writing problems by scaffolding design skills. The instructional approach assumes that by mapping emerging understanding to an external representation, novice programmers can engage in planning and comprehension monitoring. Our analysis of sketches and keystroke data recordings indicate that whilst novices who sketched flow diagrams by writing unambiguous pseudocode and mentally simulating code execution did perform better, novices often fail to draw sketches prior to writing code. We discuss the implications for emerging theories of introductory programming skills acquisition and metacognitive development in novice programmers.

Authors

• Eric G. Poitras, Dalhousie University
  Presenting Author

• Brent Crane
  Non-Presenting Author

• Sophie Blouin
  Non-Presenting Author