The effects of bite-size distributed practices for programming novices

Abstract

Programming novices usually find acquiring the ability to write programs challenging at first, however, they overcome this obstacle as they encounter more opportunities in the learning process. Providing learners with distributed practices and the ability to self-assess their programming knowledge is key to measure their development and guide them towards programming proficiency. In this work, we introduced QuizIT, a programming learning tool designed for novices. We conducted a classroom study and collected a semester long data to measure the effectives of the tool to achieve the design objectives. We analyzed the study data and provided the preliminary results from statistical perspective, as well as evaluating the effectiveness of the tool from learners' outcome. The data showed the positive effect of learners' usage of the tool on their course performance. We reported correlations exists in the data between effort (by actively benefiting and reflecting to the small learning opportunities) and the course outcome.