Identifier	Thesis 2471
Author	Weiman, Meghan C. (Meghan Christine), 1982-
Title	Visualization Computer Programming Instruction : Usability and Influence on Attitudes toward Programming by Gender
Publisher	Central Connecticut State University
Date of Publication	2015
Resource Type	Master's Thesis
Abstract	Computer programming is often seen as a complex, labor-intensive field of study. Unfavorable attitudes toward programming contribute to declining enrollment in computer science degree programs in colleges and universities, especially among women. Free online programming education aims to cultivate awareness of and interest in coding concepts and applications. Khan Academy provides one such resource, including a suite of programming tutorials that supplement instruction with a visualization component, allowing users to view the impact of changes in individual code units as they learn. This study assessed the impact of these tutorials on undergraduate students' attitudes toward programming and their perceptions of the tutorials' usability. It was predicted that students instructed with Khan Academy's visualization JavaScript tutorials would demonstrate a positive change in attitudes after the instruction and that such improvement would be greater than any attitude improvement demonstrated by students exposed to text-based instruction. This prediction was not supported, as students in both groups demonstrated a modest decline in attitudes after tutorial completion. Contrary to expectations, attitudes did not vary by gender. Men, however, reported higher usability ratings than women. Contrary to expectations, students rated the visualization tutorials as having lower than average usability. The lack of attitude improvement may have resulted from the short duration of the study and complexity of the JavaScript language. Future studies could feature longer periods of instruction and a simpler procedural language. Such research may help identify instructional methods best suited to promote enrollment and success in programming courses and degree programs.
Notes	"Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Psychology."; Thesis advisor: Laura Bowman.; M.A.,Central Connecticut State University,,2015.; Includes bibliographical references (leaves 35-40).
Subject	Computer programming--Study and teaching. Sex differences in education.
Department	Department of Psychology
Advisor	Bowman, Laura L.
Type	Text
Digital Format	application/pdf
Software	System requirements: PC and World Wide Web browser.
Language	eng
OCLC number	914285888
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Visualization Computer Programming Instruction : Usability and Influence on Attitudes toward Programming by Gender

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