Explorations in the Cognitive Science of Computer Programming
Authors
Li, Jinrong
ORCID
Loading...
Other Contributors
Bringsjord, Selmer
Kalsher, Michael J.
Nirenburg, Sergei
Cassimatis, Nicholas L. (Nicholas Louis), 1971-
Kalsher, Michael J.
Nirenburg, Sergei
Cassimatis, Nicholas L. (Nicholas Louis), 1971-
Issue Date
2014-12
Keywords
Cognitive science
Degree
PhD
Terms of Use
This electronic version is a licensed copy owned by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY. Copyright of original work retained by author.
Full Citation
Abstract
There have been many attempts and approaches pursued in the attempt to meet these two challenges. In the case of such work aimed at meeting E, we can safely say that the vast majority of this work has been based on constructivism. Constructivism, which is in turn based on (what we call) naive Piagetian theory, holds that young students learn best in bottom-up fashion, by constructing small, simple programs, and working gradually toward deep understanding and deep problem-solving power, which they supposedly obtain as they gradually progress. Cognitivism (at least of the elementary sort), on the other hand, holds that human cognition is computation, where that computation is restricted to relatively simple computationally mechanisms and routines; and that pedagogy should teach students routines. This research has explored a framework beyond both constructivism and cognitivism: formal meta-cognitivism+. Formal meta-cognitivism+ is based on the belief that deep understanding at an abstract level completely independent of domain is the key to problem-solving, but the abstractions in question are built out of those avail.able in the science of computation. Programmatically, formal meta-cognitivism+ includes the view that the best way to teach computer programming is to teach facility at this abstract, logical level, and in turn teaching at that level means teaching formal logic, and the parts of computer science that relates directly to formal logic. The + is included because unlike cognitivism, our theoretical framework leaves open the possibility that computation beyond standard, Turing-level computation is needed for suitably accurate abstractions and models.
Description
December 2014
School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences
Department
Dept. of Cognitive Science
Publisher
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY
Relationships
Rensselaer Theses and Dissertations Online Collection
Access
Restricted to current Rensselaer faculty, staff and students. Access inquiries may be directed to the Rensselaer Libraries.