Teaching programming: A spiral approach to syntax and semantics

TitleTeaching programming: A spiral approach to syntax and semantics
Publication TypeJournal Articles
Year of Publication1977
AuthorsShneiderman B
JournalComputers & Education
Volume1
Issue4
Pagination193 - 197
Date Published1977///
ISBN Number0360-1315
Abstract

Coupling the recently proposed syntactic/semantic model of programmer behavior [1] with classic educational psychological theories yields new insights to teaching programming to novices. These new insights should make programming education more natural to students. alleviate “computer shock” (the analog of “math anxiety” [2]) and promote the development of widespread “computer literacy”.The spiral approach is the parallel acquisition of syntactic and semantic knowledge in a sequence which provokes student interest by using meaningful examples, builds on previous knowledge, is in harmony with the student's cognitive skills, provides reinforcement of recently acquired material and develops confidence through successful accomplishment of increasingly difficult tasks. The relationship of structured programming and flowcharts to the spiral approach is discussed.

URLhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0360131577900082
DOI10.1016/0360-1315(77)90008-2