A special learning environment for repeat students

Abstract

In 1997, surveys of a group of introductory programming students, in a class with a predominance of repeat students (i.e., students who had previously failed the subject), provided an opportunity to establish a profile of the weakest students. These students were the "alienated" ones who had not wanted to do this course in the first place, had little motivation to learn programming, and were characterised by poor class attendance and low work output. In 1998 a new learning environment, tailored to these students' special needs, was implemented to encourage them to achieve success. Improvement was observed in many aspects of the learning behaviour of these students.