Obstacles to Learning a Second Programming Language: An Empirical Study
Titel:
Obstacles to Learning a Second Programming Language: An Empirical Study
Auteur:
Walker, Karen P. Schach, Stephen R.
Verschenen in:
Computer science education
Paginering:
Jaargang 7 (1996) nr. 1 pagina's 1-20
Jaar:
1996
Inhoud:
A study was conducted to determine problems that arise in teaching a second programming language. By analyzing every version of the programs that the subjects developed while carrying out a series of Ada programming assignments, we were able to deduce their problem-solving behavior. Two forms of behavior that were observed are especially undesirable. The first is to use familiar (that is, non-Ada) constructs initially and then, when the program is running, to quit programming, rather than to try to integrate new (Ada-specific) constructs into the working program. The second form of behavior is to use new constructs first, but to remove them and go back to familiar constructs when difficulties are encountered. We conclude from both these behavior patterns that, contrary to the opinion of many, there is a definite need to teach a second programming language; it cannot simply be assimilated. Furthermore, teaching methods have to anticipate the problems that we observed.
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