Pair programming and secondary school girls’ enjoyment of programming and the subject Information Technology (IT)

Abstract

This paper reports on a qualitative study that examined how pair programming shapes the experience of secondary school girls taking IT as a subject, with respect to their enjoyment of programming and the subject itself. The study involved six Grade 11 girls who were doing solo programming in Grade 10 and pair programming in their following Grade. The results showed that the girls enjoyed the subject more when programming in pairs due to improved comprehension of the task. They especially enjoyed the socialization and communication brought about by pair programming. The assistance, support, motivation, focus and encouragement they received from partners when stuck or while fixing errors made the programming experience more enjoyable for them. The increased enjoyment brought about by pair programming resulted in the perception of greater learning in the subject IT and also to greater interest in it. It also led to greater persistence in dealing with problems. Pair programming should be implemented right from the start of Grade 10 since it may lead to greater enjoyment of programming and the subject IT in general. The approach may also lead to more girls being attracted to the subject.

Keywords:

• cooperative/collaborative learning
• gender studies
• pair programming
• secondary education
• teaching/learning strategies

Acknowledgments

This research is based on work financially supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) in South Africa. Any opinion, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and therefore the NRF does not accept any liability in regard thereto.

Notes

1. Information Technology (IT) refers to one of the subjects that can be chosen from Grade 10 to Grade 12 in South African schools, focusing primarily on programming skills.