A problem oriented pedagogy for computer language instruction

Abstract

Training in computer languages has become an integral part of most programs in the Decision Sciences. However, in many instances, the educational efforts have focuses primarily on language syntax and structure, where short programming problems are assigned to students in order to emphasize a particular technique or subset of of instructions in the language. Such an approach implicitly avoids the overall purpose of computer language instruction: providing the student with a means of integrating the computer into problem solving activities.The purpose of this discussion is to introduce several techniques which have proven effective in teaching not just language syntax and structure, but also modular programming and documentation for business oriented problems. Each of these topical areas needs to be addressed in programming language courses in such a way that the student not only gains a meaningful understanding of the concepts, but also grasps an awareness of the particular value of the concept in business applications. A methodology is presented which has successfully been adopted in computer programming courses at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.