Investigating the relationship between programming and natural languages within the primm framework
Alex Parry · 2020
This paper investigates the relationship between learning a programming language and learning a natural language, and how this may influence the way in which text-based programming is taught in schools. To do this, I used action research to conduct an experimental study in a school in England with 60 students aged 12-13 years old. A control group was taught with the exemplar materials developed for the initial study of PRIMM (Predict, Run, Investigate, Modify, Make). For the experimental group, the exemplar PRIMM materials were adapted to include additional activities used to support reading and writing in natural language education. The baseline test found no significant difference between the two groups prior to the intervention, whilst the experimental group achieved a significantly higher score than the control group in the posttest. This indicates that the inclusion of additional language-focused exercises made a positive impact on students' learning. A focus group was also carried out to explore students' views of learning a text-based programming language compared to a natural language. Analysis of these comments suggests that a positive view of foreign or native languages may benefit students' belief in their ability to learn a text-based programming language, whilst negative preconceptions can discourage students.