Development of a Classification Scheme for Errors Observed in the Process of Computer Programming Education

Abstract

[EN] Every semester, we observe more or less the same principal difficulties among our students who are striving to learn the intricacies of software development. Basically, they run into the same kind of errors throughout their learning process as previous student generations. Based on this fact, we suspect that there is a set of underlying problems which are causing these errors. Our goal is to identify and tackle these basic problems, in order to deal with errors effectively in our teaching and coaching activities, rather than merely treating observable symptoms. To achieve this, we develop a comprehensive and topic-independent error classification scheme and employ this to classify errors found in literature and in our own courses. This classification scheme is mainly based on the cognitive dimensions of the revised Bloom’s taxonomy for educational objectives. Each error is based on a deficiency in certain competencies. Therefore, it is possible to develop a set of interventions for each error class, which focuses on the specific deficits that are the main cause for all the errors of this class.