The feedback given to novice programmers can be substantially improved by delivering advice focused on learners' cognitive misconceptions contextualized the instruction. Building this idea, we present Misconception-Driven Feedback (MDF); MDF uses a student model and program analysis detect mistakes uncover underlying misconceptions. To evaluate impact of learning, performed quasi-experimental study that compares conventional run-time output check against over three semesters. Inferential...

Non-computer science majors often struggle to find relevance in traditional computing curricula that tend emphasize abstract concepts, focus on nonpractical entertainment, or rely decontextualized settings. BlockPy, a web-based, open access Python programming environment, supports introductory programmers data-science context through dual block/text view. The web extra at https://youtu.be/RzaOPqOpMoM illustrates BlockPy features discussed the article.

To successfully bring introductory computing to non-CS majors, one needs create a curriculum that will appeal students from diverse disciplines. Several educational theories emphasize the need for contexts align with students' long-term goals and are perceived as useful. Data Science, using algorithms manipulate real-world data interpreting results, has emerged field cross-disciplinary value, strong potential an appealing context courses. However, it is not easy find, clean, integrate...

As computing becomes pervasive across fields, introductory curricula needs new tools to motivate and educate the influx of learners with little prior background divergent goals. We seek improve by enriching it authentic, real-world contexts powerful scaffolds that can guide success using automated tools, thereby reducing strain on limited human instructional resources. To address these issues, we have created BlockPy programming environment, a web-based, open-access, open-source platform for...

In this paper, we introduce ProgSnap2, a standardized format for logging programming process data. ProgSnap2 is tool computing education researchers, with the goal of enabling collaboration by helping them to collect and share data, analysis code, data-driven tools support students. We give an overview format, including how events, event attributes, metadata, code snapshots external resources are represented. also present case study evaluate can facilitate collaborative research....

Data science keeps growing in popularity as an introductory computing experience, which students answer real-world questions by processing data. Armed with carefully prepared pedagogical datasets, educators can contextualize assignments and projects societally meaningful ways, thereby benefiting students' long-term professional careers. However, integrating data into courses requires that the datasets be sufficiently complex, follow appropriate organizational structure, possess ample...

Collaborative learning can help reduce the anxiety level of learners, improve understanding and thus create a positive atmosphere for learning. This study analyzes students' collaborative experiences within small interdisciplinary "cohorts" while computational thinking in university-level class. The cohort allows students from different disciplines to contribute diverse perspectives, socially interact with each other turn situations where two or more learn together. uses both qualitative...

This paper describes the design and initial assessment of a general education course in computational thinking for non-computer science majors. The key elements include multidisciplinary cohorts to achieve learning across contexts, multiple languages/tools, including block-based textual programming languages, repeated exposure underlying ideas different forms, student-defined projects using real world ("big") data heighten motivation through self-directed contextualized learning. preliminary...

While computing is becoming increasingly distributed, programming projects in introductory classes remain mostly divorced from the student's day-to-day experiences. These experiences entail interacting with real-time Web-based data sources that include weather reports, news updates, and restaurant recommendations. The disconnect between student content of their known to drive some students away computing. In addition, adequately prepare for realities modern software engineering, educators...

This paper describes Pedal, an innovative approach to the automated creation of feedback given students in programming classes. Pedal is so named because it supports PEDAgogical goals instructors and expandable Library components motivated by these goals. currently comes with for type inferencing, flow analysis, pattern matching, unit testing provide instructor a rich set resources use authoring prioritizing feedback. The larger vision loosely-coupled architecture whose can be readily...

As block-based environments are used for more mature audiences, the must themselves. Based on holistic theories of academic motivation, this means making environment present itself as both interesting and useful, without sacrificing pedagogical power scaffolding. We Data Science a potential context that satisfies all these constraints, describe our new programming education supports data science from day one: BlockPy, available at http://think.cs.vt.edu/blockpy/. BlockPy features number...

As undergraduate computer science enrollments continue to grow, individualized instructor attention becomes increasingly scarce. The impact of social distance between students and their teachers is particularly apparent in large introductory classes, exacerbated by students' lack common prior experience science. Some institutions remedy class size gaps hiring advanced as teaching assistants for courses. However, without the resources carefully hire, train, manage (uTAs) during semester,...

The ever-increasing enrollments in programming courses has driven the need for sophisticated grading tools that can provide students with precise, insightful, and timely feedback. This SIGCSE workshop presents an interactive session on our powerful, open-source Python autograding framework, Pedal. As a free library, Pedal is available wide range of platforms, including GradeScope BlockPy - anything allows installation pure library. supports but goes beyond traditional unit testing, providing...

Despite rising enrollment, CS Education struggles with training adequate educators, leading to increased teaching loads. Open-source materials alleviate this by streamlining course preparation. Yet, there is a scarcity of free, open curricula that offer contemporary coding experience while covering fundamentals. To address gap, we introduce the CS1 Python Bakery curriculum "Batteries Included" approach, aiming furnish instructors comprehensive resources. This refines an earlier open-source...

Background and Context First-year university computer science courses can provide barriers or bridges into CS for students. Understanding student motivation within this context enable instructors to better support learning.

We present a block-based language for specifying feedback to novice learners about the programs they are constructing in programming language. In addition based on run-time and output checking, we particularly interested immediate feedback: corrective guidance given as program is being constructed. Immediate natural extension of philosophy. Block-based languages prevent by design certain types mistakes all cases. guides against, without fully preventing, problem-specific (i.e., constructions...

To successfully bring introductory computing to non-CS majors, one needs create a curriculum that will appeal students from diverse disciplines. Several educational theories emphasize the need for contexts align with students' long-term goals and are perceived as useful. Data Science, using algorithms manipulate real-world data interpreting results, has emerged field cross-disciplinary value, strong potential an appealing context courses. However, it is not easy find, clean, integrate...

We describe the content, pedagogy and technology of a computational thinking course. While open to students in all majors, practice course serves predominantly non-STEM majors. have seen positive impact on student motivation data science context used pedagogical value cohort model collaborative peer learning. The includes scaffolded programming environment for accessing curated real-world sets.

Rising enrollments and limited instructor resources underscores the growing need for reusable, scalable curriculum. In this paper, we describe an open-source introductory Python course non-Computer Science majors in STEM, designed following best practices of Instructional Design (a process similar to Software Engineering). The created include 234 learning objectives, 51 lesson videos, 45 lecture slides, 170 programming problems, 281 quiz questions, 6 unit tested projects, 4 ethical prompts....

As Computational Thinking becomes pervasive in undergraduate programs, new students must be educated meaningful, authentic contexts that they find both motivating and relatable. I propose working with big data as a novel context for introductory programming, given its importance diverse fields such agriculture, history, more. Big is considered difficult to use because of inherent technical obstacles. To overcome these difficulties, introduce project: CORGIS - "Collection Real-time, Giant,...

This special session will explore practical results from the educational theory of Instructional Design (ID), with particular focus on widespread similarities between a process for creating successful courses and software. We present small set specific practices that should be easy CS educators to adopt. In particular, cover popular Dick & Carey model, meant beginners ID. model helps instructors rigorously define who they teach to, what teach, how assess, (only then) teach. The approach is...

This paper reports on a systematic method used to improve an existing unit of instruction. The is distinctive in combining steps instructional design with "knowledge components" from cognitively-based framework learning. Instructional develop assessment instruments that incorporate information about student misconceptions. uses the evaluate performance and learning gains, while statistical analysis evaluates quality themselves using measures difficulty discrimination. Fine-grain insight into...

A key retention issue when educating computing novices is ensuring that the frustrations of mastering programming fundamentals do not demotivate and discourage students from studying discipline. In particular, non-CS majors often struggle to find relevance in traditional curricula tend either emphasize abstract concepts, focus on non-practical entertainment (e.g., game animation design), or rely decontextualized settings. To address these issues, this paper introduces BlockPy, a block-based...