Profile-oriented algorithms teaching: A proposed methodology

Abstract

One of the first challenges faced by students who are starting a Computer Science degree is to acquire skills which allow them solving real life problems through the use of algorithms. Such skills require the development of the ability to abstract as well as to apply algorithms development techniques. As a result of the difficulty in obtaining these competences, there are high failure and dropout rates in courses of related to this field of study. In order to solve this problem, we propose a methodology based on VARK questionnaire to define the students' profile and, consequently, what are their appropriate educational materials and tools.

Teaching and Learning Modelling and Specification Based on Mobile Devices and Cloud

“…In order to contribute to minimize the problem addressed above, it was proposed a methodology (Moreira and Ferreira, 2015) that should help HEI students acquiring modeling systems concepts. As discussed previously it is important to define the students profile in order to help designing and developing teaching materials.…”

Profile-oriented programming teaching to non technical students: A case study

“…The educational objectives, pedagogical models, student characteristics, strategies and instructional technologies that best fit the expectations of the participants in the teaching-learning process (teacher, students and Educational context) were considered in order to create the curricular unit "Introduction to Algorithm". Regarding the instructional model, we chose the model developed in [6], with an adjustment considered essential and presented in the following section. The statement "integration by objectives" reinforces the importance of integrating technologies in the educational context, supported by the learning objectives established for the curricular unit referenced above.…”

“…without the application of the developed model. In the second group (m = 24), the model developed in [6] was applied, with the adaptations presented in the next section. The course contents, learning objectives and teachers were the same.…”

“…The choice of tools took into account two assumptions, the students attending a non-technological course, and the lack of previous knowledge regarding the programming area, as discussed previously. In this context, and based on a study presented in [17], two tools were chosen according to the curricular unit program. The first part is directly related to the development of abstract thinking and to achieve this goal is taught the development of algorithms.…”

“…The goal of the research is to contribute to the improvement of the teaching-learning process of CUs in the area of algorithms and programming. In this paper, a case study applying an adapted version of the model [6] to the CU "Introduction to Algorithms" is presented, of a graduation course where the students come from completely different areas of the said course area.…”