Problem-Solving in Computer Science, Learning from a Gifted Peer

Abstract

A comparative study of individuals with high and low skills in computer science shows that efficient problem-solvers use a significantly different approach while dealing with typical problems of computer science compared to rather weak problem-solvers. It was noteworthy that despite knowing typical tools for informatic problem-solving, such as tree structures or recursion, low performers tended not to utilize them during the problem-solving process. Furthermore, the study revealed that in contrast to high performers, low performers did not heed to many common recommendations for problem-solving, such as splitting the problem into subproblems or performing a problem analysis prior to the actual work on the problem solution. These findings, as well as the efficient strategies used by the high-skilled students, laid the foundation of the concept for an educational video. Its purpose is to allow learners to observe high-skilled problem-solvers while approaching typical informatic problems. The following paper describes the entire development process of an instructional video about informatic problem-solving, from basic research, over the conceptual development to the evaluation of the final video.