Original Research

The impact of Memory Transfer Language (MTL) on reducing misconceptions in teaching programming to novices

Leonard J. Mselle, Hashim Twaakyondo
International Journal of Machine Learning and Applications | Vol 1, No 1 | a3 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/ijmla.v1i1.3 | © 2012 Leonard J. Mselle, Hashim Twaakyondo | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 23 March 2012 | Published: 27 June 2012

About the author(s)

Leonard J. Mselle, University of Dodoma, Tanzania, United Republic of
Hashim Twaakyondo, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of


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Abstract

Despite the fact that programming is at the heart of computer science, it is argued that even at its simplest level it is a difficult subject to teach and learn. For any new learner programming concepts are abstract and confusing. As teaching programming continues to be a daunting task, this article revisits common challenges inherent in teaching computer programming to novices. Further, Memory Transfer Language (MTL) as used to teach programming is introduced and demonstrated. Different kinds of misconceptions in programming and their associated bugs are analysed. An experiment using MTL to teach programming was carried out, using error-counts in examination scripts from two groups of students, one instructed using MTL and the other through the conventional approach. Results indicated a highly significant statistical difference (p = 0) between the two groups, showing that MTL can help novices avoid common programming misconceptions and reduce the errors they make. This shows that if programming is taught using MTL, comprehension is enhanced.


Keywords

Memory Transfer Language (MTL); teaching programming; novice; close-tracking

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Crossref Citations

1. A Phenomenographic Analysis of College Students’ Conceptions of and Approaches to Programming Learning: Insights From a Comparison of Computer Science and Non-Computer Science Contexts
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doi: 10.1177/0735633121995950