On the Cognitive Effects of Learning Computer Programming: A Critical Look. Technical Report No. 9 (original) (raw)

This paper cnticallv examines current thinking about whether i e a n m q computer programming promotes the development o i general higher mental functlons \.\'e ,now hhuu ?ne lvailablc evidence. and the underiymg assumptions about the process of learning to program. fail to ~a d r e s s :his issue adequate!^ O u r analvsis is based an a deveioprnentai cynirlvr science perspecttve on learning ro proqram. incorporatine developmenrai and coqnitive science consider~rions ot' the mental activities involved in programmirig It nighlights the imponance tor future research oilnvestiqatinq students' interactions with instructional and programming contexzs. deveioprnentai transformations of their ?roeramming skills. and their background knowledge and rrasoninc ~b~i l c t r s .