Understanding Java Programming Errors by First Year Students through the Lens of the Neo-Piaget Cognitive Development Framework

Publication Date

10-21-2025

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Title

Comped 2025 Proceedings of the ACM Global Computing Education Conference 2025

Volume

1

DOI

10.1145/3736181.3754328

First Page

141

Last Page

148

Abstract

Learning to program presents unique challenges, particularly for novices who often struggle with basic coding concepts. This study examined Java programming errors made by first-year students at the University of Botswana through the lens of the Neo-Piagetian cognitive framework. Using a quantitative approach, we analyzed 173 examination scripts from the 2023/2024 academic year, identifying and categorizing recurring errors. The descriptive results showed that Incorrect Loop Execution was the most common error, followed by Incorrect Expressions and Missing Initialization. Categorization under the Neo-Piagetian framework revealed that most errors occurred at the Sensorimotor (43%) and Pre-operational (42%) stages, indicating difficulties with syntax and logical reasoning. The results of a Chi square test revealed that non-computing students had slightly higher error averages, although the difference was not statistically significant (χ2(2) = 1.48, p =.48). These findings highlight the need for foundational programming support across disciplines.

Keywords

errors, neo-piaget, novice, programming

Department

Computer Science

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