Ensino de programação com ênfase na solução de problemas

Abstract

Learning to program a computer is a complex process of skill acquisition. Two main difficulties are present among novice students: the lack of motivation and involvement; and limitations with respect to the capability to solve problems. Teaching strategies are proposed in order to minimize those difficulties, based on the construcionism, the theory developed by Seymour Papert; and on heuristics for problem solution, proposed by George Polya. In this framework, the construction of the adequate mental models was considered as a requirement for effective learning. The teaching strategies are composed of examples and activities with a ludic and challenging character. The application of the method with a group of teenagers of a technical course, showed positive results. The teaching strategies are described in nine phases. They are published in a manual that accompanies the dissertation.