You're not alone while programming! Challenges faced by high school students, generative AI solutions and issues

OpenAlex · İngilizce

Programming is a challenging yet crucial component of technological literacy. It contains inherent difficulties that may lead students to drop out. The unique features of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) can influence how programming is learned. This study aims to identify the challenges, solutions, and requirements encountered by high school students in learning programming and examine their experiences with using GenAI during this process. The study utilizes a case study design. Interviews were conducted with 19 students representing a range of academic achievement levels. The researchers identified codes, sub-themes, and themes based on the collected data. In the findings, students expressed that they had difficulty with debugging, coding, and algorithm development, and that they sought information, practiced, and used different learning approaches to overcome these difficulties. Students said that they use GenAI for purposes such as debugging, coding, and generating information. They expressed concerns that GenAI could create systemic, social, and individual problems during this process. In conclusion, students face difficulties while learning programming, and they can utilize GenAI to address these challenges; however, this approach can also lead to some issues. The study provides recommendations to ensure the conscious use of this technology in programming education.