Trends in introductory programming courses in Australian universities: languages, environments and pedagogy

Raina Mason, Southern Cross University
Graham A. Cooper, Southern Cross University
Michael de Raadt, Moodle Pty. Ltd.

Document Type Presentation

Abstract

This paper reports the results of a study of 44 introductory programming courses in 28 Australian universities, conducted in the latter months of 2010. Results of this study are compared with two censuses previously conducted during 2001 and 2003, to identify trends in student numbers, programming language and environment/tool use and the reasons for choice of these, paradigms taught, instructor experience, text used and time spent on problem solving strategies in lectures and tutorials. Measures of mental effort experienced during the solution of novice programming problems were also examined.