Learning to code in class with MOOCs: Process, factors and outcomes

Problem: Python became the most popular programming language in recent years, beating Java, the programming language still widely used as the main programming language in many undergraduate degrees on computer science related areas. Students from those degrees often do not get Python in their syllabus, but the job market is demanding it increasingly. Objective: To assess if learning a new programming language by following a MOOC is feasible in a fully dedicated mode and allows achieving a learning outcome comparable to the traditional in-class learning process. Proposal: Students from undergraduate degrees lacking Python skills followed a dedicated and intensive learning process on that language based on an in-class MOOC. The latter is suitable for students with some background in programming, as is the case, allowing a faster learning pace. Participants’ subjective perception of the corresponding workload was monitored. Validation: A programming contest, using an automatic judge, was used as a validation for this proposal. Two groups of students participated: those from three degrees lacking Python, which followed the proposed MOOC (experimental group), and those from the degree that includes Python programming, which had a traditional in-class learning process (control group). Conclusions: The experiment results were analysed and it was inferred that the proposed in-class MOOC learning approach is as effective as the traditional learning approach. Furthermore, it was identified that the students’ average grades obtained in the previous programming courses taken as part of their degree’s syllabus and the number of MOOC modules finished in the context of this experiment directly influence the number of points obtained in the contest.Problema: Nos últimos anos, Python tornou-se a linguagem de programação mais popular, ultrapassando o Java, que continua a sermuito usada como principal linguagem de programação em muitas licenciaturas relacionadas com informática. Estas licenciaturas acabam muitas vezes por não oferecer esta competência aos estudantes, no entanto o mercado de trabalho procura-a cada vez mais. Objectivo: Avaliar a possibilidade de aprender uma nova linguagem de programação através de um MOOC num regime de total dedicação. E por fim, perceber se este permite obter resultados comparáveis ao ensino tradicional. Proposta: Os estudantes com falta de conhecimentos de Python realizaram um processo de aprendizagem intensivo desta linguagem através de um MOOC em sala de aula. Este último é adequado a estudantes com alguns conhecimentos de programação, permitindo assim um ritmo mais rápido de aprendizagem. A perceção subjetiva dos participantes sobre a respetiva carga de trabalho foi monitorizada. Validação: Realização de um concurso de programação recorrendo a um juiz automático. Dois grupos de estudantes participaram neste concurso: estudantes das 3 licenciaturas sem conhecimentos de Python, que realizaram o MOOC (grupo experimental), e os estudantes da licenciatura que inclui Python e que teve uma aprendizagem tradicional (grupo de controlo). Conclusões: Os resultados deste experimento foram analisados e inferiu-se que a aprendizagem de um MOOC em sala de aula é tão eficaz quanto o ensino tradicional. Para além disso, foi também verificado que a média de notas dos estudantes obtida nas unidades curriculares de programação que já frequentaram no seu curso e o número de módulos feitos no MOOC no contexto desta experiência influenciam diretamente os pontos obtidos no concurso de programação

Uncovering flipped-classroom problems at an engineering course on Systems Architecture through data-driven learning design

Flipped classroom is a student-centered methodology that can help engineering students to acquire the cross-curricular skills demanded by society. However, its effectiveness relies on the commitment of both instructors and students. In particular, this strategy requires students to work on a number of proposed activities before face-to-face classes. Then, in order to follow the most appropriate path in those classes, instructors need a reliable way to know at which degree their students worked on those proposed activities, what issues they encountered while doing them and which concepts need to be reinforced in class. This paper presents a case study of a flipped-classroom undergraduate engineering course. By using data-driven learning design and learning analytics techniques we show that: (1) by delaying their work on the course activities our students actually drove the course towards the traditional approach; (2) despite directly asking students at the beginning of a face-to-face class might seem to be an appropriate way of getting reliable information about their previous work, it may lead instructors to erroneous conclusions; (3) our students were strongly mark- and deadline-oriented, but even a small grade encouraged them to work on the assignments; (4) the gathering and checking of students' learning data before the class can help instructors to tailor the lesson design; and (5) if students did not work on pre-class activities, dedicating a small amount of time of the in-class lesson to explain the most difficult concepts can help students to be more efficient with their work, at the cost of losing some of the spirit of the flipped classroom.This work was partially funded by: the Madrid Regional Government (Comunidad de Madrid), through the eMadrid Network (S2013/ICE-2715); by the Spanish Ministry of Competitiveness and Economy, through projects RESET (TIN2014-53199-C3-1-R) and AUDACity (TIN2016-77158-C4-1-R) and through the thematic network of excellence, SNOLA (TIN2015-71669-REDT); and by the European Commission, through Erasmus+ projects MOOC-Maker (561533-EPP-1-2015-1-ESEPPKA2-CBHE-JP), SHEILA (562080-EPP-1-2015-1-BEEPPKA3-PI-FORWARD), COMPASS (2015-1-EL01-KA203-014033), and COMPETEN-SEA (574212-EPP-1-2016-1-NL-EPPKA2-CBHE-JP)

Influence of employer support for professional development on MOOCs enrolment and completion: Results from a cross-course survey

Although the potential of open education and MOOCs for professional development is usually recognized, it has not yet been explored extensively. How far employers support non-formal learning is still an open question. This paper presents the findings of a survey-based study which focuses on the influence of employer support for (general) professional development on employees’ use of MOOCs. Findings show that employers are usually unaware that their employees are participating in MOOCs. In addition, employer support for general professional development is positively associated with employees completing MOOCs and obtaining certificates for them. However, the relationship between employer support and MOOC enrollment is less clear: workers who have more support from their employers tend to enroll in either a low or a high number of MOOCs. Finally, the promotion of a minimum of ICT skills by employers is shown to be an effective way of encouraging employee participation in the open education ecosystem.JRC.J.3-Information Societ

Trends in the Development of Basic Computer Education at Universities

Basic computer education in universities is experiencing huge problems. On the one hand, the amount of knowledge that a university graduate must have is increasing very quickly. On the other hand, the contingent of students varies greatly in terms of the level of training and motivation, and the level of this differentiation is constantly growing. As a result, the complexity of training and the percentage of dropouts increase. Scientists and educators are looking for a solution to these problems in the following areas: revising the knowledge necessary for obtaining at the university in the direction of the reality of their receipt in the allotted time; the use of new information technologies to simplify the learning process and improve its quality; development of the latest teaching methods that take into account the realities. This paper presents a strategic document in the field of computer education at universities - Computing Circulum 2020, as well as an overview of the areas of development of basic computer education, such as learning using artificial intelligence, virtual laboratories, microprocessor kits and robotics, WEB - systems for distance and blended learning, mobile application development, visual programming, gamification, computer architecture & organization, programming languages, learning technologies. In addition, the author gives his experience and vision of teaching basic computer education at universities

Steps Before Syntax: Helping Novice Programmers Solve Problems using the PCDIT Framework

Novice programmers often struggle with problem solving due to the high cognitive loads they face. Furthermore, many introductory programming courses do not explicitly teach it, assuming that problem solving skills are acquired along the way. In this paper, we present 'PCDIT', a non-linear problem solving framework that provides scaffolding to guide novice programmers through the process of transforming a problem specification into an implemented and tested solution for an imperative programming language. A key distinction of PCDIT is its focus on developing concrete cases for the problem early without actually writing test code: students are instead encouraged to think about the abstract steps from inputs to outputs before mapping anything down to syntax. We reflect on our experience of teaching an introductory programming course using PCDIT, and report the results of a survey that suggests it helped students to break down challenging problems, organise their thoughts, and reach working solutions

Affective e-learning approaches, technology and implementation model: a systematic review

A systematic literature study including articles from 2016 to 2022 was done to evaluate the various approaches, technologies, and implementation models involved in measuring student engagement during learning. The review’s objective was to compile and analyze all studies that investigated how instructors can gauge students’ mental states while teaching and assess the most effective teaching methods. Additionally, it aims to extract and assess expanded methodologies from chosen research publications to offer suggestions and answers to researchers and practitioners. Planning, carrying out the analysis, and publishing the results have all received significant attention in the research approach. The study’s findings indicate that more needs to be done to evaluate student participation objectively and follow their development for improved academic performance. Physiological approaches should be given more support among the alternatives. While deep learning implementation models and contactless technology should interest more researchers. And, the recommender system should be integrated into e-learning system. Other approaches, technologies, and methodology articles, on the other hand, lacked authenticity in conveying student feeling

Supporting intensive continuous assessment with BeA in a flipped classroom experience

This paper presents the changes performed in a university course to adopt European Higher Education Area principles taking advantage of new technologies and educational approaches. Particularly, a Flipped Classroom model that also involves an Intensive Continuous Assessment approach is adopted, moving the presentation of theoretical contents to videos that can be watched outside of the classroom and using the classroom face-to-face time to provide explanations, problem solving and to perform assessment activities every week. A main part of innovation in the experience comes from the use of an online tool (BeA - Blended e-Assessment) that facilitates the assessment and reviewing of paper-based exams. This tool supports teachers in assessment tasks, that can be performed in a faster, simpler, more transparent and less error-prone way. The paper shows the results of an experience involving a control group and an experimentation group, in which this new approach and tool have been applied. The results obtained demonstrate the effectiveness of both proposals. In conjunction, the paper describes how a traditional university course based on lectures can be successfully adapted to a more innovative approach based on the principles of active learning and accountability thanks to the use of our blended e-Assessment tool.Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431B 2017/67Xunta de Galicia | Ref. ED431D 2017/12Ministerio de Economía, Industria y Competitividad | Ref. TIN2016-80515-