Adapting pair programming pedagogy for use in computer literacy courses

  • Authors:
  • David Preston

  • Affiliations:
  • Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC

  • Venue:
  • Journal of Computing Sciences in Colleges
  • Year:
  • 2006

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Abstract

Pair programming is a key component of the Extreme Programming (XP) software development methodology and involves two programmers working at the same workstation to create code. Pair programming pedagogy, based on this approach of sharing a workstation, has proven to be successful in teaching programming to undergraduate students. The tasks assigned to students in computer literacy courses differ significantly from the task of developing a program: the former have students develop predefined products using commercial applications by following step-by-step instructions whereas the latter have students apply problem solving skills to design and develop a unique solution. Because the types of tasks differ, pair programming pedagogy must be adapted prior to use in computer literacy courses. Pair programming pedagogy is a recent and specific application of the older and more general collaborative learning. Therefore, the critical attributes of successful collaborative learning approaches are used to structure this adaptation of pair programming pedagogy.