1 Managing diversity in introductory programming classes Using Logo as a diagnostic tool John Poulton North East Wales Institute

2 Introduction to Programming The one module in our Level 1 curriculum that the students have the most difficulty complain about the most consistently a "weed out" class where only the highly successful will endure a "make or break" course which discourages all but the best students

3 Logo? Full-featured computer programming language derived from LISP A language for learning A tool to teach the process of learning and thinking An environment where students assume the role of teacher

4 Logo As a teacher, they must: understand the knowledge to be taught plan an approach to impart this knowledge break the knowledge into small, understandable chunks clearly communicate the knowledge Establish this new knowledge as the foundation for future learning Be aware of and build on knowledge that the learner already has Respond to the learner's (computer's) misunderstandings and errors

5 How did we use Logo As an introduction to the concept of programming, and on the thinking processes that Logo encourages To attempt to discover programming aptitude Used during induction week 65 BSc, 37 HND students (2001/02) BSc 3 hrs + 1 hr test HND 4 hrs + 1 hr test

6 How did we use Logo Developed tutorial and series of exercises Simple tasks which require fairly short programming solutions Encouraged the use of various language constructs Loops functions parameter passing The tasks examined attention to detail, logical ability and capability at comprehending and following instructions

7 Sequences forward 50 right 90 forward 50 right 90

8 Iteration repeat 4 [forward 50 right 90]

9 Procedures to square repeat 4 [forward 50 right 90] end

10 Procedures You could draw a flag: forward 60 square back 60

11 Further Iteration You could make a circle of squares: repeat 12[square right 30]

12 Procedures to house square forward 50 right 90 triangle end to triangle repeat 3 [forward 50 left 120] end

13 Passing Values into Procedures to square :size repeat 4 [forward :size right 90] end square 10 square 20 etc

14 Recursion to design clearscreen right 30 polyspi end to polyspi :size :angle if :size > 205 [stop] forward :size right :angle polyspi :size+5 :angle+.12 end

15 Results

16 Conclusions Logo Useful diagnostic tool Useful tool for teaching programming Useful tool to observe how students think Improved retention & progression? Helped But so did extra tutorial support Future work develop materials further Introduce problem solving module utilising LOGO

17 Logo sites MSWLogo is available free from Useful Site run by the Computer Supported Didactics Working Group at the University of Vienna Guido van Rossum's Computer Programming For EverybodyComputer Programming For Everybody