The paper titled "Block-Based Versus Text-Based Programming Environments on Novice Student Learning: A Meta-Analysis Study" won the best SIG-Computer and Internet Application in Education paper award at 2019 American Educational Research Association (AERA) conference. The paper was presented by Zhen Xu and Albert Ritzhaupt
Paper Title
Block-Based Versus Text-Based Programming Environments on Novice Student Learning: A Meta-Analysis Study
Abstract
The use of block-based programming environments is purported to be a good way to gently introduce computer programming to novice learners. This study examined the overall effect of block-based versus text-based programming environments on cognitive and affective student learning outcomes. Five academic databases were searched to identify literature meeting our inclusion criteria and resulted in 13 publications with 52 effect size comparisons on both cognitive and affective student learning outcomes. We found both effect size calculations were statistically insignificant using random effects models with a small effect size in favor of block-based programming environments on cognitive student learning outcomes, and a trivial effect size on affective student learning outcomes. Discussion of the findings and implications for further research are provided.
Authors
Zhen Xu, University of Florida
Albert D. Ritzhaupt, University of Florida
Fengchun Tian, Nanjing Xiaozhuang University
Karthikeyan Umapathy, University of North Florida
Conference & Location:
2019 American Educational Research Association (AERA), Toronto, Canada
Link to the conference program:
https://convention2.allacademic.com/one/aera/aera19/index.php?cmd=Online+Program+View+Paper&selected_paper_id=1436081&PHPSESSID=stln16gon24j8nbcuugc8ajtp1