Understanding the coding process of a Python programming exercise

• Jéssika Renally Ribeiro Rodrigues UFCG
• Matheus Gaudencio UFCG
• Dalton S. Guerrero UFCG

Abstract

Programming courses often uses assessments that requires the student to create programs. But even with this practice, little is known about how students code. We evaluated character by character how 11 students coded two introductory programming exercises. We found that such analysis is a powerful tool that can improve teacher’s perceptions about the skill and knowledge of their students. It is possible, for example, to identify different stages of a coding process and also to detect anomalies that may students with learning difficulties.

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