The effect of computer programming experience on mathematical problem solving ability

Five component problem-solving skills (general strategy, planning, logical thinking, algebraic variables, and debugging) were identified as common elements of both computer programming and mathematical problem-solving. Based on the similarities of these general skills in specific contexts, a theory was generated that the skills would transfer and that experience in computer programming would cause an improvement in mathematical problem-solving achievement. A path model was constructed to illustrate this hypothesized causal relationship between computer programming and mathematical problem-solving achievement. In order to control for other relevant variables, the model also included mathematics experience, access to a home computer, ability, socioeconomic status, and gender. The model was tested with a sample of 800 high school students in seven southwest Virginia high schools. Results indicated that ability had the largest causal effect on mathematical problem-solving achievement. Three variables had a moderate effect: computer programming experience, mathematics experience, and gender. The other two variables in the model (access to a home computer and socioeconomic status) were only very slightly related to mathematical problem-solving achievement. The conclusion of the study was that there was evidence to support the theory of transfer of skills from computer programming experience to mathematical problem-solving. Once ability and gender were controlled, computer programming experience and mathematics experience both had causal effects on mathematical problem-solving achievement. This suggests that to maximize mathematical problem-solving scores, a curriculum should include both mathematics and computer programming experiences.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed. D.

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Curriculum and Instruction

Department dc:contributor.department

Curriculum and Instruction

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Year dc:date.issued

1987

Author dc:creator

• McCoy, Leah Paulette

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Dodl, Norman R.

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Burton, John K.
• Weber, Larry J.
• Brown, Catherine A.
• Garrison, James W.
• Wolfle, Lee M.

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10919/64669

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/64669