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Preprint
Understanding Learners' Problem-Solving Strategies in Concurrent and Parallel Programming: A Game-Based Approach
arXiv.org
10 May 2020
Abstract
Concurrent and parallel programming (CPP) is an increasingly important
subject in Computer Science Education. However, the conceptual shift from
sequential programming is notoriously difficult to make. Currently, relatively
little research exists on how people learn CPP core concepts. This paper
presents our results of using Parallel, an educational game about CPP, focusing
on the learners' self-efficacy and how they learn CPP concepts. Based on a
study of 44 undergraduate students, our research shows that (a) self-efficacy
increased significantly after playing the game; (b) the problem-solving
strategies employed by students playing the game can be classified in three
main types: trial and error, single-thread, and multi-threaded strategies, and
(c) that self-efficacy is correlated with the percentage of time students spend
in multithreaded problem-solving.
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Details
- Title
- Understanding Learners' Problem-Solving Strategies in Concurrent and Parallel Programming: A Game-Based Approach
- Creators
- Jichen ZhuKatelyn Alderfer - Drexel UniversityBrian Smith - Drexel UniversityBruce Char - Drexel UniversitySantiago Ontañón - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- arXiv.org
- Resource Type
- Preprint
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Information Science (Informatics); Computer Science (Computing)
- Other Identifier
- 991021869011904721