Learning Object Patterns for Programming

Abstract

This aim of this paper is to show how existing learning objects, that have previously proved to be successful, can be used to derive patterns that could be reused in the design of new learning objects. This is demonstrated in the context of learning objects that were designed to aid the mastery of computer programming by learners who had had no previous experience in the subject. Learning computer programming presents significant challenges to newcomers to computing so the reuse of successful learning object design has the potential for real pedagogical benefits. Patterns are a well-known design technique in the fields of architecture and software engineering. In a similar way to their use in object-oriented software design, patterns for the design of learning objects can be derived from successful existing learning resources; these patterns can then be reused in the design of new ones. This paper describes the learning objects that were designed to aid new computer programmers and how patterns were extracted from those learning objects. This results in a small learning object pattern catalogue that has the potential for reuse in the construction of new learning objects.