Programming Learners’ Perceptions of Interactive Computer Tutors and Human Teachers

Authors

  • Ruiqi Shen New Jersey Institute of Technology
  • Donghee Yvette Wohn New Jersey Institute of Technology
  • Michael J. Lee New Jersey Institute of Technology

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i09.12445

Keywords:

Tutors, interactive computing tutors, student perspectives, computing education, human teachers

Abstract


People often learn programming in face-to-face courses or online tutorials. Interactive computer tutors---systems that provide learning content interactively---are becoming more common in online tools such as those teaching computer programming. Studies have shown that teachers, interactive computer tutors, and the combination of both are efficient and effective in teaching programming. However, there is limited understanding of the comparative perspectives of learners learning from these two different sources. We conducted an exploratory study using semi-structured interviews and recruited 20 participants with programming experience from both teachers and interactive computer tutors. Speaking with our participants, we surfaced factors that learners like and dislike from the two learning resources and discussed the strengths and weaknesses between the two. Based on our findings, we discuss implications for designs that programming educators and interactive computer tutor developers can use to improve their teaching effectiveness.

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Published

2020-05-15

How to Cite

Shen, R., Wohn, D. Y., & Lee, M. J. (2020). Programming Learners’ Perceptions of Interactive Computer Tutors and Human Teachers. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 15(09), pp. 123–142. https://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v15i09.12445

Issue

Vol. 15 No. 09 (2020)

Section

Papers

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