A Pattern-Based Problem-Solving Process for Novice Programmers

Porter, R. and Calder, P.

Learning to program involves the application of programming language features to the solving of novel problems, and the experience of educators suggests that it is this factor that causes novice programmers the most difficulty. Because software patterns are descriptions of common problems and their solution written in a standardised format that facilitates reuse, their use in the novice context is indicated. This paper suggests a process for applying patterns to problems that derives from the relationships between patterns in a pattern language, and demonstrates its use in a simple problem. This approach suits the pedagogical model based on Bloom's taxonomy as it enables the required knowledge to be partitioned and dealt with in stages.

Cite as: Porter, R. and Calder, P. (2003). A Pattern-Based Problem-Solving Process for Novice Programmers. In Proc. Fifth Australasian Computing Education Conference (ACE2003), Adelaide, Australia. CRPIT, 20. Greening, T. and Lister, R., Eds. ACS. 231-238.

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