A practical model for improving student learning of a programming language

To investigate the reasons for the high failure rates in introductory programming courses, this paper employs a case-study approach to explore the integration of context of learning, conceptions of learning, and approaches to study. Students' responses show that their approaches to study are directly related to the context and conceptions of learning. Five concepts of learning are illustrated through two models proposed by previous studies. These concepts are then used as benchmarks for comparing with the concepts of the case studies to investigate these students' approaches to learning. It is found that students with intrinsic interest and are academically orientated automatically adopt the deep approach to learning whilst academically orientated students with extrinsic interest can adopt the deep approach only with help from institutional context. Accordingly, this paper proposes a practical teaching / learning model to help students to attain the deep approach to study. Implemented this semester, to date the model has changed students' orientation to study, as well as encouraged some students towards the deep approach to study.