BTRecurTutor: A Tutorial for Practicing Recursion in Binary Trees

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Title: BTRecurTutor: A Tutorial for Practicing Recursion in Binary Trees
Language: English
Authors: Hamouda, Sally, Edwards, Stephen H., Elmongui, Hicham G. (ORCID 0000-0001-5947-7450), Ernst, Jeremy V., Shaffer, Clifford A.
Source: Computer Science Education. 2020 30(2):216-248.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 33
Publication Date: 2020
Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Contract Number: DUE0836940
DUE0937863
DUE0840719
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Computer Science Education, Programming, Coding, Student Attitudes, Misconceptions, Tutorial Programs, Semantics, Feedback (Response), Instructional Effectiveness, Student Improvement, Programmed Tutoring, Difficulty Level, Performance Factors, College Students
DOI: 10.1080/08993408.2020.1714533
ISSN: 0899-3408
Abstract: Background and Context: Recursion in binary trees has proven to be a hard topic. There was not much research on enhancing student understanding of this topic. Objective: We present a tutorial to enhance learning through practice of recursive operations in binary trees, as it is typically taught post-CS2. Method: We identified the misconceptions students have in recursive operations on binary trees. We designed a code writing exam question to measure those misconceptions. We built a tutorial that trains students on avoiding those misconceptions through the use of a semantic code analyzer that detects misconceptions and provides appropriate feedback. Findings: Our results show an improvement in student performance when using the tutorial along with the practice exercises, and even more improvement when the same exercises are used with a semantic code analyzer. Implications: The best way to use our tutorial to enhance student performance on advanced recursion is to allow students solving the tutorial exercises with the the semantic feedback.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2020
Accession Number: EJ1261190
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 530 Walnut Street Suite 850, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Tel: 215-625-8900; Fax: 215-207-0050; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
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  Data: Background and Context: Recursion in binary trees has proven to be a hard topic. There was not much research on enhancing student understanding of this topic. Objective: We present a tutorial to enhance learning through practice of recursive operations in binary trees, as it is typically taught post-CS2. Method: We identified the misconceptions students have in recursive operations on binary trees. We designed a code writing exam question to measure those misconceptions. We built a tutorial that trains students on avoiding those misconceptions through the use of a semantic code analyzer that detects misconceptions and provides appropriate feedback. Findings: Our results show an improvement in student performance when using the tutorial along with the practice exercises, and even more improvement when the same exercises are used with a semantic code analyzer. Implications: The best way to use our tutorial to enhance student performance on advanced recursion is to allow students solving the tutorial exercises with the the semantic feedback.
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