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

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.