Undergraduate Computer Science Students’ Perception and Motivation: A Feasibility Study and a Proposed Technique for Multimedia Approach in Teaching and Learning Introductory Programming

Abstract

Programming is a challenging subject to be learned because it contains abstract concepts, requires understanding on syntax and semantics, the need to acquire different set of skills, and the need of all those skills in order to applied problem-solving techniques; thus, making it difficult to learn by traditional method. Multimedia approach is one good solution to be applied in the teaching and learning process for introductory programming subject since it can incorporate different learning skill at the same time. The survey had been conducted targeting undergraduate computer science students in local university and the result of the study show that there are four topics (polymorphism concept, recursion, pointers, and problem-solving strategies), considered as the most difficult concepts to be learned in introductory programming courses among local undergraduate computer science students and their current motivation state of learning programming is positively high, though most of them think programming subject is a tough subject to learn. Using topics from the survey result as an example, a technique that can be used to assist in decision-making for choosing correct multimedia element used in multimedia approach, called Chain Relation Approach had been proposed.