ERIC Number: EJ982753
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2012-May
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0018-9359
EISSN: N/A
Student Usage Patterns and Perceptions for Differentiated Lab Exercises in an Undergraduate Programming Course
Mok, H. N.
IEEE Transactions on Education, v55 n2 p213-217 May 2012
Differentiated instruction in the form of tiered take-home lab exercises was implemented for students of an undergraduate-level programming course. This paper attempts to uncover the perceptions and usage patterns of students toward these new lab exercises using a comprehensive survey. Findings reveal that these tiered exercises are generally very well received and preferred over their traditional "one size fits all" counterparts. Although the study does not show that tiered exercises have improved proficiency or scores, it does seem to indicate higher student engagement and motivation levels. Based on the survey results, a list of recommendations is put forth for the structure and format of tiered exercises that can be applied to future offerings of this programming course as well as to other similar courses. (Contains 2 figures.)
Descriptors: Programming, Computer Science Education, College Freshmen, Undergraduate Study, Student Attitudes, Laboratories, Assignments, Individualized Instruction, Student Surveys, Learner Engagement, Student Motivation
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. 445 Hoes Lane, Piscataway, NJ 08854. Tel: 732-981-0060; Web site: http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/RecentIssue.jsp?punumber=13
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Evaluative
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Singapore
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A