The effects of individual differences on CS2 course performance across universities

Tracy L. Lewis, J. D. Chase, Manuel Pérez-Quiñones, Mary Beth Rosson

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

Research is presented that examined the effects of various measures of prior computer science experience and cognitive abilities on overall performance in a CS2 course. Participants selected from the CS2 course at two southeastern state universities were used within this study, resulting in a sample size of 161 (School A, n = 76; School B, n = 85). School A is a mid-sized comprehensive university and School B is a large research-intensive university. Self-reported data were collected on measures of experience in object-oriented processing, UNIX programming, web design, computing platforms, and various CS experience. Further, cognitive abilities measures of spatial orientation, visualization, logical reasoning, and flexibility were administered. The results show that the schools significantly differed on all measures of cognitive ability and most measures of prior computer science experience. The schools also differed on the extent to which these measures were related to overall course performance. The results suggest that, for school A, the cognitive ability visualization and the prior computer science experience measure of OO processing were significantly related to course performance. However, when examining school B, no measures were found significant.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationProceedings of the Thirty-Sixth SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, SIGCSE 2005
PublisherAssociation for Computing Machinery
Pages426-430
Number of pages5
ISBN (Print)1581139977, 9781581139976
DOIs
StatePublished - 2005
EventProceedings of the Thirty-Sixth SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, SIGCSE 2005 - St. Louis, MO, United States
Duration: Feb 23 2005Feb 27 2005

Publication series

NameProceedings of the Thirty-Sixth SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, SIGCSE 2005

Other

OtherProceedings of the Thirty-Sixth SIGCSE Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, SIGCSE 2005
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySt. Louis, MO
Period2/23/052/27/05

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The effects of individual differences on CS2 course performance across universities'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this