Why Teach Computer Programming? Some Evidence about Generalization and Transfer.

摘要: The assertion that "higher order" thinking skills can be improved by learning to program computers is not a new one. idea endures even though the empirical evidence over years has been mixed at best. In fact, there no reason expect all programming courses will have identical, or similar, effects. Such typically differ more languages in which they are taught than anything else, and rarely do explicitly address higher level instructional goals. To properly assess extent of transfer, any other learning, measures must criterion-referenced specific curriculum objectives. This paper describes results from three field studies. two them, ninth graders who learned structured methods using "Karel Robot" teaching language performed considerably better on series expository writing tasks did students studies' control groups. third study, began their introductory course with Karel substantially difficult Pascal. (Author/SWC) *********************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied EDRS best made original document. *****************AAA1.**************************************************