Planning on Paper: Problem Decomposition with Diagrams in Introductory Computing
This program is tentative and subject to change.
Background and Context. Problem decomposition is a core concern of computing education. It has also become increasingly relevant: in response to GenAI, many CS1 educators are advocating for shifting instructional emphasis away from code writing and towards decomposition and higher-level planning. Currently, there is a lack of knowledge in how novices do decomposition in large, multifunction tasks. Objectives. In this study, we describe how students represent solutions to a decomposition task, and characterize common issues that arise in those representations. Method. In a 50-minute lab, students were given a description of a game and asked to draw (with pencil and paper) a decomposition diagram for a program that would implement this game. We performed an inductive thematic analysis with negotiated agreement on 55 of the diagrams, coding the elements (e.g. functions and the relationships between them) that arose and the issues we found. Findings. Students used multiple representational strategies, including hierarchical function calls and sequencing (order of execution). We identified issues in notation (including use of differing, incompatible notations within the same diagram), order of execution, abstraction and reuse, encapsulation, clarity, and problem-specific misunderstandings. Implications. These findings suggest that novice decomposition is shaped by multiple underlying models of program behavior, with tensions between structural and sequence-focused reasoning. We discuss future work and implications for decomposition instruction, including diagram-tracing as simulation and clarifying representational constraints.
This program is tentative and subject to change.
Thu 13 AugDisplayed time zone: Amsterdam, Berlin, Bern, Rome, Stockholm, Vienna change
13:45 - 14:35 | Visualisation and DiagrammingResearch Papers at Main conference room Chair(s): Barbara Ericson University of Michigan | ||
13:45 25mTalk | Code as Anchor, Memory and Metaphor as Support: Learner Experiences with Multi-View Visualizations Research Papers Naaz Sibia University of Toronto Mississauga, Jessica Wen University of Toronto Mississauga, Amber Richardson University of Toronto Mississauga, Yashika Jain University of Toronto, Khushi Malik University of Toronto, Bogdan Simion University of Toronto Mississauga, Andrew Petersen University of Toronto Mississauga, Angela Zavaleta Bernuy McMaster University, Carolina Nobre University of Toronto, Michael Liut University of Toronto Mississauga | ||
14:10 25mTalk | Planning on Paper: Problem Decomposition with Diagrams in Introductory Computing Research Papers Annapurna Vadaparty University of California, San Diego, Devamardeep Hayatpur University of California, San Diego, Gerald Soosairaj University of California, San Diego, Leo Porter University of California San Diego, Dan Zingaro University of Toronto Mississauga | ||