THE ROLE OF COMPUTER PROGRAMMING TO IMPROVE COLLEGESTUDENTS PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS.

John Christian MelendresBS Computer Science II

Xavier Johanis ElnasBS Computer Science II

Prof. Ronelaine B. PicardalBC 25 – IMay 2015

Topic Outline

The Role Of Computer Programming To Improve College Student’s Problem Solving Skill

Thesis: Taking two computer programming course can improve problem

solving skills of Silliman University Engineering students.

Introduction

I. Delivering an effective strategies to produce a desired result

A. Explore possible solution through understanding the problem

B. Visualize the solution

II. The positive effect of repetitive exercise with different variation on human

thinking process

A. Develop a good memory retention

B. Can easily recognize patterns

III. Solve a problem while looking at different angles

A. Generates idea through others idea

B. Creates a creative solution for the problem

Conclusion:

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Sentence Outline

The Role Of Computer Programming To Improve College Student’s Problem

Solving Skill

Thesis: Taking two computer programming course can improve problem

solving skill of

Silliman University engineering students.

Introduction: Today technology is getting more advance and the device is

easy to use unlike in the past that is because the technology is evolving in

terms of hardware and particularly in software. Many of us have difficulties if

it is our first time but with constant practice we can be good at it that’s the

same in programming you will have difficulties at grabbing the concept on

how it works but later you will find it easy. Each of has can be good at

something that we want to learn about but we cannot good at something if it

is force for us to do. There are plenty of skill that people can develop like

playing an instruments. But programming is somehow unique because it is a

practical tool you can use in everyday life learning it provides plenty but not

pointless knowledge that trains your brain. In learning some students can

easily learn but not all have the ability to learn quickly because we don’t

have the capacity like a computer that stores information immediately and

we need to review or restudy what we learn for us to remember it, learning

is a process so taking two computer programming course can

improve can problem solving skill of S.U Engineering student.

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I. Delivering an effective strategies to produce a desired result

A. Student s can explore possible solution through understanding the

problem

B. Students can visualize the solution to solve the problem

II. The positive effect of repetitive exercise with different variation on human

thinking

process

A. It can lead to the development of student’s good memory retention

B. It can lead to the ability to easily recognize patterns

III. Solve a problem while looking at different angles

A. Students can generate ideas through others ideas

B. Students can create a creative solution for the problem

Conclusion:

The above discussion shows that learning and thinking are factors

needed in computer programming and, Thus Taking two computer

programming course can improve problem solving skills of Silliman

University Engineering students.

The Role Of Computer Programming To Improve College Student’s Problem Solving Skill

Today technology is getting more advance and the device is easy to

use unlike in the past that is because the technology is evolving in terms of

hardware and particularly in software a device is useless if it doesn’t have a

software and it is made through computer programming. Computer

programming is often shortened to programming or coding it is a process of

writing, testing and debugging a computer program and the purpose of this

is to create instruction that a computer can understand for us to perform

arithmetic and different activities using the computer.

Many of us have difficulties if it is our first time but with constant

practice we can be good at it that’s the same in programming you will have

difficulties at grabbing the concept on how it works but later you will find it

easy. Each of has can be good at something that we want to learn about but

we cannot good at something if it is force for us to do. Engr.Diputado (2015)

state that each person has his or her calling, thus not all appreciate

programming but through learning it shows our appreciation and if

and an individual does not appreciate programming then we cannot

learn to program.

There are plenty of skill that people can develop to become a well-

rounded person like playing an instruments, writing, speaking and etc. But

programming is somehow unique because it is a practical tool you can use in

everyday life learning it provides plenty but not pointless knowledge that

trains your brain. It can be a great practice for

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being precise because when you code a program you will always expect the

result to come out correct.

Moreover almost all profession will take a long time to master

the basics to before you can proceed to advance studies. Yet some

people who barely graduate high school can be able to create a

complex software. People either can program or not education can

help you prepare and gives you better tools to start and pure

intelligence is not required. In programming it requires the ability to

grasp abstract concepts using different set of programming

languages and to create something form nothing and programming

is not just for geniuses but there are some that can overcome the

limits and can be more productive that the rest of us Wulf(2007).

In learning some students can easily learn but not all have the ability

to learn quickly because we don’t have the capacity like a computer that

stores information immediately and we need to review or restudy what we

learn for us to remember it, learning is a process so taking two

computer programming course can improve can problem solving

skill of S.U Engineering student.

This paper presents a discussion on how computer programming can

improve student’s problem solving skills. First part is about how a strategy

can solve a problem. Second is about the positive effect of exercises on

human brain. Last is solving a problem with a different perspective.

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Developing an effective strategy to produce a desired result.

People encounter problems every day. Some problems, such as solving the

daily Sudoku puzzle, are enjoyable, while others, like figuring out how to

retrieve the keys you just locked in the car. Although researchers have

examined problem solving, there is still a lot we don’t know about how we

strategically work through problems. Solving problems is integral to learning.

You began solving problems at a very young age. Granted, those problems

may seem trivial like how to get a toy now compared to the problems you

face as an adult about how to pay the bills, but they certainly didn't seem

trivial at the time. Problems are problems, regardless of the importance or

severity; they all have a common goal, to reach a solution.

One of the most effective strategies of problem solving is creative

thinking, to find solution we can use the methods of creative thinking. In

creative thinking we must transcend our usual ways of seeing. We should not

limit ourselves to seeing what we are supposed to see or thinking about

things as we were taught to think about them. We must learn to see and

think without assumptions, stereotypes, or expectations, much as a painter

does when looking at a penny lying on the floor, seeing it as oval instead of

round or as brown with a white sheen instead of copper.

According to Kirby & Goodpaster, 2004:

To think creatively we must transcend the world of dos and

don’ts and enter the world of the impossible, the frivolous, the

vulgar, and the absurd. We must see

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things not for what they are or for what they were meant to

be, but for what we can imagine them to be, this world of the

creative is in each of us. We need only watch a young child

play to realize the creativity that was once present in all of us.

Another strategy when solving a problem is to analyze the given

problem and understand what it is. Defining a problem means being as

precise and as specific as possible, although more precise is still an ill-

defined problem but it will enable us to identify the possible causes of

malfunctioning, and it shortens our path to the solution of the problem.

Engr. Johnson B. Diputado (2015) stated in solving a problem know

what the problem requires as its solution. Know what one have at

hand. It could be possible that one already has the solution to the

problem. If one does not yet have the solution, then one might have

at hand resources that could be used in finding the or arriving to a

solution to the problem. Determine if what one has at hand is

enough in finding for or arriving to a solution to the problem. If one

does not have enough resources then gather the rest. If one does

not have the liberty to procure additional resources then one make

do with what one has at hand. Formulate a methodology in solving

for a problem. The methodology should base on the task at hand.

Resources at hand that one must take into consideration in the

formulation of the methodology are time, equipment knowledge,

etc. Implement the methodology. It is possible that the

implementation would yield a

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solution. If the implementation does not yield one could repeat the

implementation until a solution is found or one could formulate

another methodology and then implement it.

One of the ways to solve a problem is “To look for a cause of the

problem”. Looking for a possible solution of a problem may be difficult but

sometimes the solution maybe right in front of you. For example, “A writer,

for instance, could experience frustration.” She may find that her

frustration comes from an inability to concentrate and her lack of

concentration stems from problems in personal relationship”.

Knowing the cause one of the cause allows you to fix things and

thereby you gain you focus back. (Kirby and Goodpaster, 2004).

In programming it very important that we should look what the

problem is and what is causing the problem because trial and error might

help but it will take use time to solve the problem unlike we make strategies

it will benefit us because we had solve the problem and it will also tell us that

the program we are coding is right and more importantly if we use strategy

in solving a problem the result will be as we expect the program to produce.

The positive effect of repetitive exercise with different

variation on human thinking process. In our day to day life we always

use our memory to recall events we need it in order for use to function and

make a direction for our life. But not all the time our memory can be helpful

because not all human have the capacity to remember all the information

that he or she absorbs but that doesn’t necessarily that we are stupid. If we

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forget something it means that we are just unable to retrieve the stored

information in our brain. There are memory stages that differs on how fast

we can access the information we can access information in the long term

memory and short term memory. In the long term memory the information

can be store in days, weeks, months, and even years and there is no limit

capacity on how much can a long term memory can store information unlike

the short term memory the information will just be available for us to

process.

According to McGaugh (1997):

Many factors that influence the development of the long term

memory. Perhaps the most important influence is repetition.

Although practice does not necessarily “makes prefect”, it

does lead to good retention, as we know from our own

experience as well as extensive experimental research.

In computer programming repetition of exercises or using a certain

code over and over again help a student to retain these codes in their mind.

If a student already know how a certain code works and if there is a scenario

that a certain code is missing due to accidental deletion he or she can supply

the missing codes provided that he or she already know how the program

works or operates. In repetitive exercises students can learn and master the

same idea and if they do the problem exercises again they can easily solve

the problem and can distinguish how each code is being use. According to

Zhance (1994),

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Learning means acquiring new ideas so it is also natural to forget

newly acquired idea s but learning also includes changes thereby

having to do the same thing again means reduction in response rate

considering the example of a math problem, a student may time

thinking about the solution of the problem, but when the student

finally gets the solution, so solving the problem again may take

lesser time due to the familiarity of the problem. Doing identical

thing over a period of time give a particular pattern and faster rate

of responding these effects are called schedule effects.

Moreover in repeating the exercises again student can distinguish a

feature of an object easily. In programming it is very important to distinguish

a pattern because a program can sometimes operate in a same manner and

if we know the similar operation of the program there is no need to rewrite

the code which make the coding process fast. If student always do

programming exercises he or she can write a basic code easily without

looking at the book or any references because the student already know the

pattern on how a program start.

Furthermore, Template are the model pattern that we already

know in the template theory it propose that the we store a great

number of template in our mind and it also propose that expertise is

gained through the large amount of information stored in our long

term memory that is later access. We can recognize pattern by

comparing the template in our mind to the object we see. We always

use template matching for example a chess player use a strategies

with template theory to recall the moves of his past games and

compare that move if it is applicable to use in his present

game(Sternberg,2012).

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In programming it is necessary to recognize a pattern because even if

it look like a code of line is the same but the operation or its function is

different. And in programming it also involves equations and manipulation of

numbers and when it comes to numbers doing the arithmetic you might

think the result is random but it follows a pattern on how result it is

calculate. To recognize a pattern is very important in our daily life, it can

help us when it comes to game like puzzle, chess, cross word puzzle and etc.

and if we use strategy with pattern recognition we can solve a puzzle easily

or win a game because we already know the result if we make a specific

move.

From my point of view the effects of the repetitive exercise will help

engineering student because they mostly do math and when it comes to

math you will always need practice on how to solve equations and in solving

equation you will need pattern and if they always practice on how to solve

equation it will benefit them when it comes to exam and working under

pressure.

Solving a problem while looking at different angles. Before

rushing to solve a problem, always make sure you look at it from different

perspectives. Looking at it with different eyes is a great way to have instant

insight on new, overlooked directions. To achieve more creative ideas

brainstorming is the most ideal way to gather different approaches craft

possible solutions for a certain problem.

But, according to Kirby & Goodpaster (2004) stated in their study

that Starbursting is the same as brainstorming but brainstorming

lacks detail, prediction and some ideas go out of topic. In

Starbursting is mainly focuses on the topic and will be followed by a

question that still relates on the topic. Starbursting is somehow

revers of Socratic Method because Startburting produces question

to the ideas while the Socratic Method produces conclusion to the

idea. Somehow the Socratic Method only led to one solution while

the Starburting can have one or more solution to the problem.

In solving a problem if you can’t solve it then you find another

alternative solution that is when teamwork will come in by generating ideas

through starbursting it is useful tool to support your problem solving or

decision making processes by helping you to understand all aspects and

options more fully because not all people can come up a solution

immediately to solve a problem and a single solution might not be enough to

fix a problem permanently that’s why we should generate ideas from each

other because it can simulate new and better ideas and to have multiple

solutions and we can select the best option that will fit to the problem. And

that’s why if we work in company they always emphasizes teambuilding

because a team can always accomplish a task in smoothly or fix a problem

immediately unlike if you are the project leader and if work alone you most

likely to end up in a bad position if your project will fail because you did not

associate the concept of teamwork.

Moreover, Silverstein (2012) stated that looking at problem with

different perspective could lead to creative solution. The A-ha

moment is part of the abstract connection in the right brain that is

create between the disparate ideas. Example of this is on how Isaac

Newton theorized the gravity through a falling apple an event like

this

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can trigger an idea which makes the right brain to create a

connection to creativity to solve a problem. The process works by

solving the problem with your usual solutions and when you’re left

brain exhaust all ideas that don’t work at this point you will get

frustrated then your right brain will engage and it solve the problem

with image and once the left brain has gotten out of total

frustration the right brain is able to combine the language that it

knows which is pictures then that’s it the connection is made.

In programming you should always explore possible solution to the

problem because a program is a very long lines of code and the longer the

line of code of program the higher the error will occur when you run the

program that is why the shorter the code you make, the program is more

efficient. Engr. Diputado (2015) state that efficiency would mean that

the program should use the least memory, execute fast and should

be compose of only a few line of codes. And in writing the program

which involves manipulation of data it will compose many line of codes and

there is a high probability that a student will have a wrong syntax

composition of codes and the longer the codes that the student type he or

she will not notice it so when running the program errors will occur and it is

very hard to determine where should the student start to debug. That is

when the creative part will occur because the student will find many possible

solution until only few errors left to debug and if there so possible solution he

or she will rewrite the code of line with errors.

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We it comes to problem solving it depends on how fast and efficient

the solution we think to solve the problem because it depends on the

knowledge and experience a student possess. In programming it always

involves problems that makes your brain to think for solutions to fix the

errors we make in coding. Thinking and learning are key factors because the

more we learn and think the greater the knowledge we gain and produce and

it is a process to begin form bottom to top. In this research paper it show

that programming can make a student develop efficient strategies to

approach the problem, enhances memory and it can broaden a student’s

perspective. Thus, Taking two computer programming course can improve

problem solving skills of Silliman University Engineering students.

References

Silverstein, S. (2012, September 3). Changing Perspective: A New Look At

Old Problems

Retrieved from

http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2012/09/03/changing

perpective-new-look-old-problems/

Sternberg, R., & Sternberg K. (2012). Cognitive Psychology (6th ed.). United

States of

America: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning

McGonical, J. (2008 September). Growing up gamer. Retrieved from

http://janemcgonigal.com/my-book/

Levey, S., & Polistock, S. (2011). Language development: Understanding

language

diversity in the classroom. California: Sage Publishing Inc.

Allen, M. (2004). Smart thinking: Skill for critical understanding and writing

(2nd ed.).

Australia: Oxford University Press.

Manning, C. (2012,March 20). Student's view: The benefits of understanding

programming. Retrieved form http://scratched.gse.harvard.edu/stories/

students-view-benefits-understanding-programming

Dunn, D., Holonen, J., & Smith, R. A. (Eds.). (2003). Teaching critical thinking

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psychology: A handbook of the best practices. United Kingdom:

Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Kirby, G., & Goodpaster, J. R. (1995) . Thinking. New Jersey: Printice-Hall Inc.

Davidson, J. E., & Stenberg, R. J. (Eds.). (2003). The psychology of problem

solving

skills. United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press.

Wulf, A. (2012, April 2). Your Brain On Code: What Makes You Able To

Program?

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http://thecodist.com/article/your-brain-on-codewhat-makes-

you-able-to-program

Appendix A

Silliman University

Dumaguete City, Philippines

Engr. Johnson Diputado:College of Engineering

April 20, 2015

Dear Sir Diputado:

We are students from the College of Computer Studies who are currently conducting a research entitled Taking Two Computer Programming Course will Improve Problem Solving Skill of Engineering Students in Silliman University. The Study is in partial fulfillment of the requirements in BC 25 (Research Writing in the Discipline).

In this regard, may we request for an interview with you at your convenience. Kindly contact us through this number 0917-398-4866 or 0922-563-7074. You will greatly help in the completion of this study.

We assure you that your answers will be kept confidential and will be used solely for the purpose of this study

Thank You for your time and cooperation.

Sincerely yours,

John Christian Melendres

Xavier Johanis Elnas

Noted by:

Prof. Ronelaine B. PicardalInstructor, BC 25

Appendix B

Name of the Interviewee:

Name of the Interviewer:

1. What are the things you look at first when solving a problem?

2. How does computer programming relate to problem solving?

3. What is your style of teaching programming?

4. What do students find most difficult about programming in their first time?

5. Does the difficulty of programming force a student to drop the course?

6. What is important for you the result or on how student code the program? Why?

7. Can a student learn in programming by just editing someone else’s work?

8. Which do you prefer students develop their own technique or teach them a technique in coding? Why?

9. What attitude are developed in computer programming?

10. Why should people learn to code?