National Prior Knowledge Test in Programming - How proficient are incoming higher education students?

The talk starts at 13:00, coffee will be served from 12:45. Please help us cut down waste by bringing your own mug.

Abstract:

The implementation of Kunnskapsløftet 2020 (LK20) has made programming a mandatory part of the curriculum within mathematics subjects in secondary school. Three years later, the first cohort of students with this programming experience entered higher education institutions. This existing programming competence can have significant implications for the teaching of ICT subjects at universities and colleges. If students already possess a solid understanding of basic programming elements, instruction can be intensified and reach a more advanced level as early as the first semester. However, it is necessary to investigate whether this is the case. There has been substantial variation in the quality of programming education during the implementation of LK20. Teachers' knowledge of programming varies greatly, with some having computer science didactics as part of their education while others have never coded before. Therefore, it is important to assess the extent and comprehensiveness of students' prior knowledge.

The National Prior Knowledge Test in Programming is a tool for evaluating students' programming skills. This test covers the fundamental elements of introductory programming that are taught at various universities and colleges in Norway. The first iteration of the test was administered in August 2023, with 2133 participants at seven different higher education institutions in Norway, and the results were surprisingly positive.

In this talk i present the findings and discuss their implications.