ERIC Number: EJ1358061
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 25
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0899 3408
EISSN: EISSN-1744-5175
Student Misconceptions of Dynamic Programming: A Replication Study
Shindler, Michael; Pinpin, Natalia; Markovic, Mia; Reiber, Frederick; Kim, Jee Hoon; Carlos, Giles Pierre Nunez; Dogucu, Mine; Hong, Mark; Luu, Michael; Anderson, Brian; Cote, Aaron; Ferland, Matthew; Jain, Palak; LaBonte, Tyler; Mathur, Leena; Moreno, Ryan; Sakuma, Ryan
Computer Science Education, v32 n3 p288-312 2022
Background and Context: We replicated and expanded on previous work about how well students learn dynamic programming, a difficult topic for students in algorithms class. Their study interviewed a number of students at one university in a single term. We recruited a larger sample size of students, over several terms, in both large public and private universities as well as liberal arts colleges. Objective: Our aim was to investigate whether the results of the previous work generalized to other universities and also to larger groups of students. Method: We interviewed students who completed the relevant portions of their algorithms class, asking them to solve problems. We observed the students' problem solving process to glean insight into how students tackle these problems. Findings: We found that students generally struggle in three ways, "technique selection," "recurrence building," and "inefficient implementations." We then explored these themes and specific misconceptions qualitatively. We observed that the misconceptions found by the previous work generalized to the larger sample of students. Implications: Our findings demonstrate areas in which students struggle, paving way for better algorithms education by means of identifying areas of common weakness to draw the focus of instructors.
Descriptors: Misconceptions, Programming, Computer Science Education, Replication (Evaluation), Algorithms, Undergraduate Students
Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research; Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A