Abstract:
Contribution: In this article, the authors present findings and insights on the efficacy of using an educational block-based programming (BBP) environment—Blocks4DS, to t...Show MoreMetadata
Abstract:
Contribution: In this article, the authors present findings and insights on the efficacy of using an educational block-based programming (BBP) environment—Blocks4DS, to teach the binary search tree (BST). Background: For a decade, BBP environments have been a hot topic in the computer science education (CSEd) community to promote interactive active learning of programming. However, little attention has been paid to BBP environments’ efficacy on nonintroductory courses like data structures and algorithms (DS&A). DS&A courses are challenging to students due to levels of abstraction that could be reduced by syntax-free features existing in BBP interfaces. Research Questions: 1) Can undergraduate computing-major students learn about the BST using Blocks4DS? 2) Do undergraduate computing-major students understand better BSTs when learning with a BBP environment? and 3) How do undergraduate computing-major students perceive Blocks4DS for nonintroductory computer science (CS) topics? Methodology: A mixed-method study was designed, using a control and intervention group with 83 first and second-year CS students, to evaluate the efficacy of Blocks4DS compared to traditional instructional methods (e.g., whiteboard and pseudocode). The authors evaluated its efficacy based on students’ conceptual understanding and perceptions. Findings: It was found that, regardless of prior experience with text-based programming languages and instructional approaches, students introduced to the BST with Blocks4DS gained significant conceptual understanding, and performed as well as peers instructed with pseudocode. Also, 83.3% of students found the tool engaging and 72.3% found it useful to learn DS&A. This suggests that Blocks4DS can be used to teach DS&A.
Published in: IEEE Transactions on Education ( Volume: 65, Issue: 2, May 2022)
Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Pedro G. Feijóo-García received the first B.Sc. degree in systems and computing engineering and the second B.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering, and the M.Sc. degree in systems and computing engineering from the Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia, in 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively, and the Grad. Cert. from the Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, in 2018. He is a currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree (Fulbright Scho...Show More
Pedro G. Feijóo-García received the first B.Sc. degree in systems and computing engineering and the second B.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering, and the M.Sc. degree in systems and computing engineering from the Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia, in 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively, and the Grad. Cert. from the Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, in 2018. He is a currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree (Fulbright Scho...View more
Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Amanpreet Kapoor received the B.Tech. degree in computer science and engineering from the Jaypee University of Engineering and Technology, Raghogarh-Vijaypur, India, in 2015, and the M.Sc. degree in computer science from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, in 2016. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in human-centered computing with the Engaging Learning Lab, University of Florida, where he works with D...Show More
Amanpreet Kapoor received the B.Tech. degree in computer science and engineering from the Jaypee University of Engineering and Technology, Raghogarh-Vijaypur, India, in 2015, and the M.Sc. degree in computer science from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, in 2016. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in human-centered computing with the Engaging Learning Lab, University of Florida, where he works with D...View more
Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Christina Gardner-McCune received the B.Sc. degree in computer engineering from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA, in 2002, and the M.Sc. degree in computer science and the Ph.D. degree in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA, in 2005 and 2011, respectively.
She is currently an Associate Professor with the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Werth...Show More
Christina Gardner-McCune received the B.Sc. degree in computer engineering from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA, in 2002, and the M.Sc. degree in computer science and the Ph.D. degree in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA, in 2005 and 2011, respectively.
She is currently an Associate Professor with the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Werth...View more
Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Eric Ragan received the B.Sc. degree in mathematics and computer science from Gannon University, Erie, PA, USA, in 2007, and the M.Sc. degree in computer science and applications, the Grad. Cert. in human–computer interaction, and the Ph.D. degree in computer science from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA, in 2010, 2011, and 2013, respectively.
He is currently an Assistant Professor with the Computer and Information Scien...Show More
Eric Ragan received the B.Sc. degree in mathematics and computer science from Gannon University, Erie, PA, USA, in 2007, and the M.Sc. degree in computer science and applications, the Grad. Cert. in human–computer interaction, and the Ph.D. degree in computer science from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA, in 2010, 2011, and 2013, respectively.
He is currently an Assistant Professor with the Computer and Information Scien...View more
Contents Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Pedro G. Feijóo-García received the first B.Sc. degree in systems and computing engineering and the second B.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering, and the M.Sc. degree in systems and computing engineering from the Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia, in 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively, and the Grad. Cert. from the Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, in 2018. He is a currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree (Fulbright Scholar) in human-centered computing with the Virtual Experiences Research Group, Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, under the supervision of Dr. B. Lok.
He is also a Core-Faculty Assistant Professor with the Program of Systems Engineering, College of Engineering, Universidad El Bosque. His current research interests include intelligent virtual agents, culturally relevant computing, and computer science education.
Pedro G. Feijóo-García received the first B.Sc. degree in systems and computing engineering and the second B.Sc. degree in mechanical engineering, and the M.Sc. degree in systems and computing engineering from the Universidad de los Andes, Bogotá, Colombia, in 2013, 2014, and 2015, respectively, and the Grad. Cert. from the Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, in 2018. He is a currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree (Fulbright Scholar) in human-centered computing with the Virtual Experiences Research Group, Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, under the supervision of Dr. B. Lok.
He is also a Core-Faculty Assistant Professor with the Program of Systems Engineering, College of Engineering, Universidad El Bosque. His current research interests include intelligent virtual agents, culturally relevant computing, and computer science education.View more
Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Amanpreet Kapoor received the B.Tech. degree in computer science and engineering from the Jaypee University of Engineering and Technology, Raghogarh-Vijaypur, India, in 2015, and the M.Sc. degree in computer science from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, in 2016. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in human-centered computing with the Engaging Learning Lab, University of Florida, where he works with Dr. C. Gardner-McCune on projects that aim to foster students formation of computing identities and improve the employability of computing graduates.
He is currently an Instructional Assistant Professor of Computer Science with the Department of Engineering Education and an Affiliate Instructional Assistant Professor with the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida. He is also a Research Affiliate with the Engaging Learning Lab, where he works with Dr. Christina Gardner-McCune on projects that aim to foster students’ formation of computing identities and improve the employability of computing graduates. His current research interests include computing education, informal learning environments, and identity formation.
Amanpreet Kapoor received the B.Tech. degree in computer science and engineering from the Jaypee University of Engineering and Technology, Raghogarh-Vijaypur, India, in 2015, and the M.Sc. degree in computer science from the University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA, in 2016. He is currently pursuing the Ph.D. degree in human-centered computing with the Engaging Learning Lab, University of Florida, where he works with Dr. C. Gardner-McCune on projects that aim to foster students formation of computing identities and improve the employability of computing graduates.
He is currently an Instructional Assistant Professor of Computer Science with the Department of Engineering Education and an Affiliate Instructional Assistant Professor with the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida. He is also a Research Affiliate with the Engaging Learning Lab, where he works with Dr. Christina Gardner-McCune on projects that aim to foster students’ formation of computing identities and improve the employability of computing graduates. His current research interests include computing education, informal learning environments, and identity formation.View more
Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Christina Gardner-McCune received the B.Sc. degree in computer engineering from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA, in 2002, and the M.Sc. degree in computer science and the Ph.D. degree in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA, in 2005 and 2011, respectively.
She is currently an Associate Professor with the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. She is the Director of the Engaging Learning Lab and leads projects on computer science education research, artificial education research, educational technology design, curriculum development, and computer science professional identity development.
Christina Gardner-McCune received the B.Sc. degree in computer engineering from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY, USA, in 2002, and the M.Sc. degree in computer science and the Ph.D. degree in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA, in 2005 and 2011, respectively.
She is currently an Associate Professor with the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. She is the Director of the Engaging Learning Lab and leads projects on computer science education research, artificial education research, educational technology design, curriculum development, and computer science professional identity development.View more
Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
Eric Ragan received the B.Sc. degree in mathematics and computer science from Gannon University, Erie, PA, USA, in 2007, and the M.Sc. degree in computer science and applications, the Grad. Cert. in human–computer interaction, and the Ph.D. degree in computer science from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA, in 2010, 2011, and 2013, respectively.
He is currently an Assistant Professor with the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. He is the Director of the Interactive Data and Immersive Environments Lab and leads projects focused on the design and evaluation of applications and techniques that support effective interaction and understanding of data, information, and virtual environments. His current research interests include information visualization, virtual reality, 3-D interaction, visual analytics, and explainable artificial intelligence.
Eric Ragan received the B.Sc. degree in mathematics and computer science from Gannon University, Erie, PA, USA, in 2007, and the M.Sc. degree in computer science and applications, the Grad. Cert. in human–computer interaction, and the Ph.D. degree in computer science from Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA, in 2010, 2011, and 2013, respectively.
He is currently an Assistant Professor with the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Department, Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. He is the Director of the Interactive Data and Immersive Environments Lab and leads projects focused on the design and evaluation of applications and techniques that support effective interaction and understanding of data, information, and virtual environments. His current research interests include information visualization, virtual reality, 3-D interaction, visual analytics, and explainable artificial intelligence.View more
