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Full-Text Articles in Engineering Education
A Human Factors Perspective On Learning Programming Languages Using A Second Language Acquisition Approach, Rebecca Rohmeyer, Paula Sanjuan Espejo, Lulu Sun, Christina Frederick
A Human Factors Perspective On Learning Programming Languages Using A Second Language Acquisition Approach, Rebecca Rohmeyer, Paula Sanjuan Espejo, Lulu Sun, Christina Frederick
Publications
In this day and age, knowing a programming language is an essential skill to have for those pursuing a career in any of the STEM fields. In most colleges and universities around the world, engineering and computer science students are required to take an introductory course in a programming language. However, many students find these courses intimidating and too challenging. This paper explores a psychological perspective on learning programming languages using Second Language Acquisition (SLA) theories. The paper also describes the basic function of how learning works and how SLA aids in the learning process. This paper also briefly discusses …
Get Rid Of Your Student's Fear And Intimidation Of Learning A Programming Language, Christina Frederick, Matt B. Pierce, Andrew Calvin Griggs, Lulu Sun, Li Ding
Get Rid Of Your Student's Fear And Intimidation Of Learning A Programming Language, Christina Frederick, Matt B. Pierce, Andrew Calvin Griggs, Lulu Sun, Li Ding
Publications
Knowledge of computer programming is very beneficial and often required for engineering students. Unfortunately, students frequently experience fear and intimidation regarding introductory programming courses. Second language acquisition (SLA) techniques have shown promise as a means of content delivery in programming courses. Blended learning environments are also becoming increasingly popular in course frameworks. This workshop will discuss the application of second language acquisition in a blended learning environment (SLA-aBLe) and will examine the effectiveness of using SLA techniques to teach introductory programming. The proposed workshop will also share instructor experience(s), provide course materials, and review student outcomes from this two year …
Work In Progress: Using Second Language Acquisition Techniques To Teach Programming - Results From A Two-Year Project, Christina Frederick, Lulu Sun
Work In Progress: Using Second Language Acquisition Techniques To Teach Programming - Results From A Two-Year Project, Christina Frederick, Lulu Sun
Publications
This WIP paper presents two years of findings for an NSF funded project under the Research Initiation Grant in Engineering Education (RIGEE) program. The project (SLA-aBLe) is currently in the second year of implementation and assessment. Final results from the project will be presented and discussed at the annual ASEE conference. The project used second language acquisition (SLA) theory and techniques to facilitate learning in an introductory programming language class. The project was developed by a multi-disciplinary team and involved multiple instructors and sections of an introductory programming language class using MATLAB. Each semester, instructors trained in SLA techniques taught …
The Application Of Second Language Acquisition To Programming Language Study, Lulu Sun, Christina Frederick, Li Ding, Rebecca Rohmeyer
The Application Of Second Language Acquisition To Programming Language Study, Lulu Sun, Christina Frederick, Li Ding, Rebecca Rohmeyer
Publications
This paper describes a design and implementation of a Second Language Acquisition in a Blended Learning (SLA-aBLe) project that aims to examine the efficacy of SLA approaches for teaching programming language. The project, which has been running for three semesters, modifies specific learning modules in a programming language class using a series of shorter videos with subtitles, online quizzes with tiered questions and comments, and a topic specified discussion board with Q&A sections. The SLA aspect of the SLA-aBLe study is emphasized through the use of strategies defined as best-practice SLA techniques, such as the inclusion of self-testing tired questions …
A Second Language Acquisition Approach To Learning Programming Languages, Rachel Cunningham, Paula Sanjuan Espejo, Christina Frederick, Lulu Sun, Li Ding
A Second Language Acquisition Approach To Learning Programming Languages, Rachel Cunningham, Paula Sanjuan Espejo, Christina Frederick, Lulu Sun, Li Ding
Publications
The instructional design for modules in the study was based on the evidence that learning a programming language is analogous to students acquiring a second language, and utilized tools from Second Language Acquisition (SLA) theory. A programming language has vocabulary, syntax, grammar and communicative outcomes that must be sufficiently developed for the learner to function successfully in the environment that utilizes the language. This proposed study utilized an SLA approach to programming language in a blended learning environment. Modifications to the course pedagogy included breaking the course topics into video lessons focusing on basic programming vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. These …
Hybrid Course Design: Leading A New Direction In Learning Programming Languages, Lulu Sun, Matthew Kindy, Caroline Cecile Marcelle Liron, Christopher Grant, Shirley Waterhouse
Hybrid Course Design: Leading A New Direction In Learning Programming Languages, Lulu Sun, Matthew Kindy, Caroline Cecile Marcelle Liron, Christopher Grant, Shirley Waterhouse
Publications
“Introduction to Computing for Engineers” is a programming course emphasizing problem solving. The lack of practice time, in addition to the algorithm-centric nature of programming, results in an inadequate comprehension of course material. In the fall of 2010, three faculty members created and implemented online activities consisting of video lecture slides, and mini on-line quizzes at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to give students more “hands-on” learning (rather than expecting them to absorb content through lecture). Students do online lecture study by themselves, then come to the lab to practice on the following day with the instructor and teaching assistant. In the …
The Path Of Innovation: From Traditional Classroom To Hybrid Experience, Lulu Sun, Matthew Kindy, Caroline Liron
The Path Of Innovation: From Traditional Classroom To Hybrid Experience, Lulu Sun, Matthew Kindy, Caroline Liron
Publications
“Introduction to Computing for Engineers” is a programming course emphasizing problem solving. However, the lack of time for practice and the algorithm-centric nature of programming results in inadequate comprehension of this course material. Through course evaluations, faculty experience, and discussions, we feel that students in a programming course should have more time for “hands-on” learning, rather than trying to absorb content through lectures. We believe that by getting students involved and excited about engineering from the beginning of their first year, we will markedly improve comprehension of the course content. To that end, a hybrid course is implemented that involves …