Using cognition of programming literature in the design of a tool for learning a second programming language

Abstract

This paper reports on the design rationale and early evaluation of an intelligent tool to aid student programmers, who already have knowledge of one programming language, in acquiring a working knowledge of key parts of the Ada language. Research on transfer between programming languages has shown that previous programming experience helps students learn subsequent languages, but is also a source of negative transfer. Our tool ADAPT addresses the pedagogical problem of transfer between programming languages, emphasizing the problem of developing programming plans which are appropriate to the Ada language. ADAPT was designed based on the findings of research in the cognition of programming, and one of our goals was to evaluate how much guidance the literature gives to design. The results of empirical studies provided appropriate general guidance but tended to be underspecified for use in design.