Monitoring Novice Programmer Affect and Behaviors to Identify Learning Bottlenecks

Authors

Ma. Mercedes T. Rodrigo, Ateneo de Manila UniversityFollow
Jessica Sugay, Ateneo de Manila UniversityFollow
Ryan S. Baker
Emily S. Tabanao, Ateneo de Manila University

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2009

Abstract

We analyze student affect data in order to locate bottlenecks in an introductory programming course. By tracking students’ affective states and behaviors over five laboratory sessions distributed over nine weeks, we find that students exhibit a significantly greater amount of confusion when expected to implement object-oriented constructs such as constructors and object interaction. When asked to undertake an exercise similar in scope with a previous exercise, students expend less time and effort on the exercise. They exhibit less flow and frustration, and spend more time on off-task behaviors.

Recommended Citation

Rodrigo, M. M. T., Sugay, J., Baker, R., & Tabanao, E. (2009). Monitoring novice programmer affect and behaviors to identify learning bottlenecks. In Adorna, H., & Saldana, R. (Eds.), 9th Philippine Computing Society Congress (pp. 1-7). Philippines: Computing Society of the Philippines.