Browsing by Author "Neuman, Alex"

Programming became part of basic education in Autumn 2016. The goal of this study was to examine the experiences from programming at elementary school, and to determine motivation towards programming and the factors that affect it. The study attempted to answer if programming was found exciting, which is a goal stated in the national core curriculum for basic education. The study examined experiences from various technologies, including Scratch programming environment and Lego Mindstorms robot. The study was conducted by interviewing the pupils and teacher from a single sixth grade class. The class in question had programmed using various technologies and participated in the First Lego League programming challenge. A total of 19 pupils participated in the study. The interview was based on themes related to experiences from and inclination towards programming. Pupils were interviewed in groups ranging between 2 and 4 pupils. The analysis was performed using content analysis. The data was coded using codes based on existing theories. The content of the codes and the quantity of responses in them were then examined. The results show that pupils had alternative experiences from programming. The study reveals that pupils had gained at least a basic level of programming ability while having a mixed response to the quantity and quality of the teaching. The results reveal that pupils had different responses to technologies, with every technology having various perceived weaknesses and strengths. The study suggests that majority of the pupils had extrinsic motivation towards programming. The interest in and the perceived usefulness of programming varied. Five different attitudes were determined: excited and demanding, dependent on task, indifferent, reserved, and reluctant. It was concluded that programming was found interesting and exciting by a portion of the pupils. The study implies that arousing interest in programming for the naturally uninterested is a challenge and that some pupils may never have interest in programming.