Evaluating students' programming skill behaviour and personalizing their computer learning environment using "the Hour of Code" paradigm

Abstract

One of the most intriguing objectives when teaching computer science in mid-adolescence high school students is attracting and mainly maintaining their concentration within the limits of the class. A number of theories have been proposed and numerous methodologies have been applied, aiming to assist in the implementation of a personalized learning environment that approaches these objectives. In this paper, an empirical study is performed with the support of the "Hour of Code" initiative which took place for a second consecutive year at the end of previous year. The initiative was presented to a number of high-school students as a motivation for teaching computer programming to them. An evaluation of the students' programming skills is attempted with the aid of a questionnaire and a simple personalization framework is presented in order to adapt to the students' personal needs.