LET’S GET CODING!

: A NARRATIVE STUDY ON PROGRAMMING

STRUGGLES OF IT STUDENTS

A Research Paper
Presented to
Tarlac National High School
San Roque, Tarlac City

In Partial Fulfillment
of the Requirements for the Subject
Practical Research 1

Alcantara, Luigi
Alfonso, Marvin
Capiral, Ronald
Dimarucut, Erisha
Meneses, Marc Anthonie
Pagtalunan, Karlito
Portillo, Carlos

2024
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Chapter I

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction:

Programming is quite difficult for some IT students. Some students are struggling

with programming or lack of knowledge, but others have other difficulties that they are

dealing with.

From my observation, many IT students may encounter struggles in programming

and compiling code. Some of them may have some challenges that they face and struggle

with debugging code. The common struggles that students face may include the

following:

*They are struggling to debug program errors.

*They are not studying or listening to the professor/teacher that’s why they don’t

know what to do.

*They are struggling because they putting video games or social medias than

studying computer programs.

According to (Gordon, 2016, Chetty & Barlow-Jones, 2012). Students who

struggle to understand key content can also be left behind in the classroom, especially in

a subject like computer programming, where one concept builds onto the next concept.

Programming concepts, which are interdependent, not grasped by students in the

beginning stages of the module, can make it more difficult for students to comprehend at

a later stage (Hoda & Andreae, 2014).

According to (Kai Arakawa, Qiang Hao, Tyler Greer, Lu Ding, Christopher D.

Hundhausen, Abigayle Peterson). Understanding what struggles students face in

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programming assignments is critical to guide many efforts in computing education, such

as designing scalable interventions and developing effective learning technologies. Prior

studies on this topic contributed to understanding what strategies students typically use

in programming assignments, and the interventions for some struggles such as

procrastination. However, few studies have investigated student struggles in

programming systematically.

According to the studies of (Teemu Lehtinen, Aleksi Lukkarinen, Lassi

Haaranen). We make inductive content analysis to research the open-ended text answers

we collected. One third of the students struggled to explain their own program code. This

estimates possible occurrences of fragile learning at the moment when a student

seemingly succeeds in a program writing exercise. Furthermore, we examine correlations

between the correctness of the answers with other learning data.

According to (Billy Javier). In an attempt to assist computer institutes in

enhancing the programming abilities of inexperienced programmers, this study reveals

the challenges or struggles and comprehension of code faced by newbie programmers.

The thirteen (13) junior information technology life-long learners who agreed to engage

in this mixed-method study were the subjects of qualitative interviews, observations, and

document reviews. These methods were used to collect data and comprehend the voices

within the group. Throughout the process, the participants underwent interviews, program

tracing, and hands-on training. The results demonstrated the inexperienced programmers'

challenges with code comprehension, program tracing or debugging, program structures,

and code navigation.

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Research Questions

1. What are the struggles met by the IT students in programming?

2. How IT students cope their struggles in programming?

Scope of the Study

This study aims to know the programming struggles of IT student. It also

includes how to cope their struggles in programming. There are two(2) college students

who will be interviewed for the result of the study.

Significance of the Study

This study will help the researchers understand the Programming Struggles of IT

Student. Thus, this research will illuminate the following:

To the Students, this study will let them find out what kind of programming struggles

they faced/encountered.

To the future researchers, this study will understood to them on what programming

struggles they faced/encountered.

To the school, this study will understood the struggles of IT Students in programming

To the community, this study will be aware on what struggles they may face on

programming.
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Definition of Terms

The following terms were defined in accordance with their operational meanings

to have a working knowledge and better understanding of the research.

Difficulties. Refers to the students who have difficulties in programming

IT. Refers to the course of students which is Information Technology

Programming. Refers to a technological process for telling a computer which tasks to

perform in order to solve problems.

Students. These are the students that have programming struggles

Struggles. To try very hard to do, achieve, or deal with something that is difficult or that

causes problems.

Technology. Refers to the use of scientific knowledge on practical things that you are

doing with the help of tools and techniques.

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Chapter II

Review Related Literature

This chapter presents the Related Literature and studies which guided by the

researchers in deeper understanding of the topics included in the study and have a

significant relationship and similarities with the present study.

Foreign

According to (Gordon, 2016, Chetty & Barlow-Jones, 2012). Students who

struggle to understand key content can also be left behind in the classroom, especially in

a subject like computer programming, where one concept builds onto the next concept.

Programming concepts, which are interdependent, not grasped by students in the

beginning stages of the module, can make it more difficult for students to comprehend at

a later stage (Hoda & Andreae, 2014).

According to (Kai Arakawa, Qiang Hao, Tyler Greer, Lu Ding, Christopher D.

Hundhausen, Abigayle Peterson, 2021). Understanding what struggles students face in

programming assignments is critical to guide many efforts in computing education, such

as designing scalable interventions and developing effective learning technologies. Prior

studies on this topic contributed to understanding what strategies students typically use

in programming assignments, and the interventions for some struggles such as

procrastination. However, few studies have investigated student struggles in

programming systematically.

Teaching and learning (T&L) computer programming language especially for

non-computer science students are challenging. The instructors are facing constraints or
 6

obstacles in making the students understand the programming concepts and able to

create excellent programming skills to solve the real problem. Lack of logical, creative,

and critical thinking among students leads to weaknesses in the implementation of

problem-based learning (PBL). The entity of programming language problems such as

instructors, students and programming language were examined and analyzed based on

related previous studies or research that have been reported. The methodology of

Structured Literature Review (SLR) was applied to explore the entities and help to

measure the major contributing factors influencing the weaknesses of programming

language understanding among students(Naemah Abdul Wahab, Rozita Kadar, Jamal

Othman, 2021).

Programming has been a challenging subject for computer science students. A

programmer must have strong analytical and reasoning skills to program effectively. In

order to inculcate such skills, instructor must prepare their lectures accordingly and

employ several novel techniques to develop analytical and problem solving skills into the

students. Despite the strong need, there have not been any studies to identify the major

challenges faced by programming students. Such a study can help instructor in

development of appropriate materials and planning of lectures accordingly. To fulfill this

gap, this work performs a survey of 57 students who just completed their first

programming course. Students were asked to fill a questionnaire. The questionnaire was

analyzed further to determine what are the most challenging concepts for students to

learn and when do the students feel most comfortable learning. The correlations among

students response were determined and k-mode clustering was also performed(Noman

Islam, 2019).
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In Computer Science Education, teaching of computer programming (CP) for

beginners remains one of the greatest challenges. This is due to the nature of first year

students characterized by under-preparedness, poor academic background and so on.

Moreover, the traditional lecture-based approach is used and the computer laboratories

are rarely used. Consequently, students are not motivated, engaged or no active

participation. While this teaching approach has failed to achieve learning outcome,

incorporating cutting-edge practices like agile methods into the teaching could be

valuable. This stems from the widespread in practice and acceptance of agile methods in

the software industries today. Though agile practices like pair programming have

impacted students' programming projects, none has been reported on teaching. Therefore,

this paper proposes a new approach of teaching CP using the agile methods. The goal is

to assist beginners acquire needed programming skills, proffer teaching technique that

maximizes the chances of engagement, active participation, and improving teaching by

reflecting on what has been taught and what the students are learning. Additionally,

beginners will be able to operate the computer, write correct code, gain better

programming skills and assist teachers to manage large classes effectively. To achieve

this, the study adopted the framework for decoding the discipline(IEEE, 2016).

Researchers have been searching for alternatives in teaching programming

subjects. A reason to this is due to the fact that the compulsory subject in the field of

Information Technology has been a challenge and they are tough subjects to learn. On top

of that, lacking the understanding in concepts has reduced undergraduates' interests to

pursue further exploration and self-experimentation. In this research work, a study was

conducted to investigate the factors that lead to undergraduates' learning difficulty in

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programming courses and also their perception on which teaching methodology could be

implemented to create richer and interesting learning process. The study involved 182

undergraduates from Multimedia University, Malaysia, who have taken the fundamental

programming subject named Computer Programming 1. The findings affirmed that

undergraduates prefer to learn programming by referring to examples and using drill-

practice method whereas learning via lecturing would only decrease their interest level.

The challenge has provided an evidence to call for a better solution, game-based learning

as an alternative to teach and learn computer programming subjects. Therefore, the

authors proposed a game-based learning framework which consists of components that

leverage the pedagogical aspects in designing game-based learning environment for

programming subjects. (Phit-Huan Tan; Choo-Yee Ting; Siew-Woei Ling, 2016).

Local

According to (Billy Javier). In an attempt to assist computer institutes in

enhancing the programming abilities of inexperienced programmers, this study reveals

the challenges or struggles and comprehension of code faced by newbie programmers.

The thirteen (13) junior information technology life-long learners who agreed to engage

in this mixed-method study were the subjects of qualitative interviews, observations, and

document reviews. These methods were used to collect data and comprehend the voices

within the group. Throughout the process, the participants underwent interviews, program

tracing, and hands-on training. The results demonstrated the inexperienced programmers'

challenges with code comprehension, program tracing or debugging, program structures,

and code navigation.

 9

Research by Santos and Cruz (2020) To determine typical programming

difficulties, Santos and Cruz polled IT students at numerous Philippine colleges.

According to their findings, most students had difficulty using problem-solving

techniques, troubleshooting code, and comprehending basic programming ideas.

Language limitations, a lack of prior programming experience, and resource accessibility

restrictions were mentioned as significant factors to these difficulties.

Del Rosario and colleagues' (2019) investigation looked at how Filipino students'

programming proficiency was affected by their educational background and resource

availability. The study discovered that due to restricted access to computers and

dependable internet connections, students from underprivileged communities frequently

face major obstacles while trying to learn the fundamentals of programming. As a result,

these pupils typically have greater difficulty in programming classes than their more

advantaged peers.
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Chapter III

METHODS OF STUDY AND SOURCES OF DATA

In this chapter the researchers will present the methodology of the study about the

Programming struggles of IT student. This chapter present the discussion on the research

design,research instrument, procedures in our data gathering, samples and participants in

the experiment of data analysis.

Research Design

This study aims to have knowledge about the programming struggles of the IT

students. According to (Hoda & Andreae, 2014). The interdependence of programming

ideas can make it more challenging for students to understand later on in the module if

they are not understood at first. It follows that some students may find programming

more difficult since they are not paying attention to it, lack programming skills, would

prefer to play video games instead of studies, or both.

This research used a narrative design. Narrative design refers to the structured

approach for presenting the research findings or sharing a story. Researchers in narrative

design focused to gather information from our participants to understand what kind of

programming struggles that they faced.

Selection of Participants

The researchers will purposefully select individuals for this study. When selecting

study participants, researchers can use a purposeful sampling strategy in which they rely

on their own judgment.

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According to the authors (Jeovany Martínez-Mesa, David Alejandro González-

Chica, Rodrigo Duquia, Renan Rangel Bonamigo)

In this paper, the basic elements related to the selection of participants for a research are

discussed. Sample representatives, sample frame, types of sampling, as well as the impact

that non-respondents may have on results of a study are described.

Two college students who are currently having trouble with programming were

chosen by the researchers. Female participants, the first of whom is nineteen(19) years

old and resides in Tarlac City, and the second of whom is also nineteen(19) years old,

also resides in Tarlac City. The participants were chosen by the researchers due to their

programming difficulties.

Research Locale

This study was conducted in San Roque Tarlac National High School. The

participants in this study were interviewed on their campus/universities. These

participants are interviewed in person. This study was conducted for IT students. The

study was conducted in second semester of the academic year 2023-2024.

Research Instrument

A research instrument refers to any tool a researcher may use to collect or obtain

data, measure data relevant to their research (DiscoverPhDs,2020). A research instrument

consists questionnaires, and interviews and to some participants in our research. The

researchers will ask participants from our questions to gather information and data for

these research, the researchers will interview the participants face to face.
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Data Gathering Procedure

In order to perform the interview, the researchers requested authorization from the

research adviser to survey IT students who struggle with programming. Following

approval, the researchers asked for permission to conduct in-person interviews with

participants in order to collect data and information. The answers will be compiled.

Ethical Considerations

Throughout the entire investigation, the researchers will make sure that ethics

were the first concern. Given the importance of the study participants' safety and dignity,

their privacy and personal information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

Every time, the participants are respected and valued. In order to prevent

miscommunication and potential disagreement with participants, the researchers exercise

caution while crafting their questions. While creating these questions, offensive terms are

omitted to prevent misinterpretation and discrimination.

Mode of Analysis

The researchers will use interviews to obtain information and data, which they

will then evaluate and present. To avoid too much information's, the researchers may

have to establish the scope and limitations of their investigation.

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CHAPTER IV

FINDINGS AND DISCUSSIONS

The main technique of gathering data was presented in this chapter, which

detailed the conclusions drawn from the performed interview. the main elements of the

appropriately done interview.

A. Findings

This part of this chapter presents the findings obtained from the participants that

were interviewed by the researchers to determine what are the struggles of the IT

students in programming. The data were analyzed to further understand the objectives of

the study.

1. The struggles met by the IT students in programming

PARTICIPANT 1

Participant 1 is a female college student from Philippine Women's University.

According to her in their Computer Programming subject, “I often struggle because

programming isn't just about typing long lines of code”. It's also about avoiding common

errors as IT students. The coding process requires meticulous attention to detail, ensuring

that everything we type aligns with the problem provided by the professor. As IT

students, it's frustrating when we encounter errors at the beginning after reaching the end

of our code. And as the participant said, she maybe have a little bit struggles among lack

of gadgets because that is the mainly requirements to code and to make programming

activities. The one that we mainly ask is that what way that students have programming

struggles? The participant said “In the way of processing codes need to be detailed and

the one that we must make sure is concluded that the professor gives task to us”.
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PARTICIPANT 2

The participant 2 is a female college student from Tarlac State University. From her

response to our questions, the one that we mainly ask that what kind of way why you

have programming struggles? And she response “My reason is just that I kind of don’t

like programming in the first place and I only choose it because this is what i want to be,

and those are the things that i don’t feel like doing it but i keep on studying because this

is what I started”. She also stated and admits that she is a slow learner, but if she wants,

she would but she said that she will keep on studying because she already started it and

she have no choice backing out.

2. IT students cope their struggles in programming

PARTICIPANT 1

When the researchers asked the participant on how she copes the struggles she met

in programming she stated one way I can approach this is by searching for additional

information about the subject, particularly programming. I could research the code for

each step and determine the strategies needed to pass the programming subject.

Additionally, I can focus on what I've been doing and listen to the professor during

lectures to better understand the tasks assigned and how to tackle them effectively. I

recognize that coding processes can be challenging, but as IT students, we often say,

"We're here to keep going. The word "struggle" is inherent in our field, but it's up to us

how we handle it."

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PARTICIPANT 2

The main question that we need to gather is that what are the ways for you to

prevent programming struggles? The second participant said “I really need to study hard,

focus on programming and gain some experience” and she will ask from other

experienced people for her to gain knowledge, and we asked about what are the things

that you must prevent for you to focus on programming? She said i must focus and don’t

ignore programming because this is our major subject of course I must focus on it, I must

go on prevent too much social medias and games that will bother my studies.

B. Discussion

1. The struggles met by the IT students in programming

Programming struggles are the common struggles by the students, they have

struggles because they may be not focusing or listening on their professors or they don’t

feel like it. Because some students often choose the course because they think that those

will ease their studying or they think that would make them easier because they think that

is only computer and they are not expecting that the course will be difficult for them. The

programming errors that is the one why students have programming struggles because

they don’t know how to debug or fix programming errors because those would make

them more difficult.

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2. IT students cope their struggles in programming.

The one that participant said that spending more time on social medias or video

games make them more difficult to study in programming, taking time management will

help them cope their struggles in programming. And focus on the professor will also help

students more knowledgeable because they will spend their time on focusing to their

topics not to waste their time spending social medias and video games. Those are the

copes that will help them prevent programming struggles like, either they will focus on

studying and listen to the professor, or ask someone experience or gain some knowledge

from them because those will help them prevent programming struggles.
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CHAPTER V

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

In this chapter will discuss the summary of the findings taken from the answers

after interviews with two participants. The conclusions are also presented for further

understanding and clarification of the study.

SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS

1. What are the struggles met by the IT students in programming?

The struggles met by the IT students in programming is difficult for them to face

it, the first participant often struggle because that isn’t just typing a lot of codes, but it’s

also avoiding to have an errors, and the participant may be struggles more because of the

lack of gadgets, these are the mainly reason why IT students have programming struggles

because of lack of gadgets. While the second participant said that she kind of don’t feel

like programming in the first place, maybe some students may choose the course because

they have no choice or they think that those course may be a lot of easier for them to

study, but they really don’t like it. But the one she also admits that she is a slow learner,

there are many students may have slow learning experiences or lack of knowledge and

that’s why they have programming struggles.

2. How IT students cope their struggles in programming?

The two participants both answered is to focus on studying and listen to the

professor, because that is the only reason for them to focus and cope their struggles in

programming, the coding must be challenging but the first participant said that "We're
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here to keep going. The word "struggle" is inherent in our field, but it's up to us how we

handle it.” Which is true because they already started it and they must go on and focus on

studying in programming. The second participant said she wont let herself take too much

time in social media and games, instead she must go on studying. These are the reason

why students have programming struggles, but these are the way for them to prevent

programming struggles.

CONCLUSION

1. Programming struggles may have so much difficult for students, but students can’t

avoid this kind of thing, these may have a lack of gadgets or being a slow learner, or

avoiding errors and that makes their spend more time debugging the errors. They used to

have a lack of gadgets that will lead them to struggle more because programming really

need gadgets for them to execute a code.

2. The way that would make them cope their struggles in programming is to prevent too

much time in social medias or games, because those are the things that make them more

bothered and make their mind unfocused on programming studies, and that’s the reason

why students have a programming struggles, on the other side students must focus on

their lessons and discussions for them to gain knowledge and gain some skills, or ask for

experienced people to help them focus and study or gain more on their programming

studies and prevent struggles.

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Recommendation

The researchers have formulated the following recommendation:

1. The teachers must be aware that their students have programming struggles

2. The students must study on their programming subject or other subjects

3. They must be focusing on their studies for them to prevent programming

4. The teachers must ask their student because they have programming struggles
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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Del Rosario and colleagues' (2019)

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356161965_The_Social_Media_Usage_and_Its_Impact_on_the_Filipino_Learners'_Aca

demic_Performance_Amidst_the_Online_Education

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355316523_A_Study_of_Difficulties_in_Teaching_and_Learning_Programming_A_Syst

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https://www.scirp.org/reference/referencespapers?referenceid=2964362
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