0 Programming & Problem Solving through Think-Alouds

"Teaching programming and problem solving to CS2 students using think-alouds."
Naveed Arshad, Lahore Uniersity of Management Sciences, Pakistan

In this project, "students learn the skill of problem solving by closely observing an experienced programmer." They found this approach to be "extremely effective ... particularly for female students."

After ten weeks, students were asked to complete an anonymous survey about problem solving ability and effectiveness of the pedagogical instruments. 120 students (30 female).

• 61 percent - agree comfortable solving problems
• The effectiveness of instruction varied based on several factors including gender and agree/disagree to statement.
• ....
  

What is think-aloud problem solving? Whatever comes to your task while performing this task, say it out loud. This practice demonstrates the thought process that is involved in problem solving.

Advantages

1. students learn a variety of ways to solve programming problems;
2. code writing
3. (and something else ...)

Conclusions and future work

• Think-aloud is a powerful pedagogical approach
• has to be used with other pedagogical tools
• choice of person who performs think-aloud problem solving is critical