The effect of self-efficacy and pair programming experience in learning results of introductory programming courses

TL;DR

This study investigates how self-efficacy and pair programming experience influence learning outcomes in introductory programming courses, finding self-efficacy positively affects performance while pair programming does not have a significant impact.

Contribution

It provides empirical evidence on the role of self-efficacy and pair programming experience in programming education, highlighting the importance of self-efficacy for student success.

Findings

High self-efficacy correlates with higher quiz scores.

Pair programming experience shows no significant effect.

Study based on 36 students' responses.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the interactive effect of self-efficacy and pair programming experience to the final learning results in introductory programming courses. We developed a 2x2 fractional design to explore their roles and relationships. Data was collected by distributing questionnaires to students have learnt or are learning CS367 at UW-Madison. They were asked to evaluate their self-efficacy levels and pair programming experience. After that, they needed to complete a quiz of 11 Java knowledge quiz indicating their learning results. We present results from 36 participants which show that students with high self-efficacy levels tended to earn a higher score in the Java knowledge quiz. However, pair programming experience shows no significant effects on learning results.Our finding suggests that high self-efficacy levels have a positive impact on students' performance in introductory programming courses.