Application of Puzzles to unpuzzle the Programming difficulty through Spoken Tutorial workshops

Abstract

Computer programming is a challenging subject to teach and learn both for students as well as teachers. Cognitive skills such as programming comprehension and debugging are the most important skills necessary for a programmer. Students have a difficulty to build these cognitive skills either due to lack of resources, pedagogy and feedback mechanisms. In order to address some of these challenges spoken tutorial puzzle based approach has been discussed focusing on programming comprehension and debugging skills of the learners. A study has been conducted to analyze the cognitive difficulties of students in programming education through spoken tutorial based workshops. This study comprised of a group of non-CS engineering under graduates. It is noted that majority of students showed cognitive difficulties related to programming, debugging and program comprehension, irrespective of the programming language used. This paper discusses how puzzles help in building the programming skills of the learners. We also discuss the challenges and benefits of using puzzles to teach programming skills.