Comparing Novice Programmers Performance with Block-based, Text-based, and Both Notations: A Study from Two Countries
Computer Science and Information Systems, Tome 23 (2026) no. 1
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Teaching programming presents numerous challenges, one of which is selecting the most effective notation to introduce programming concepts to beginners. This study explores different notation approaches for learning fundamental programming concepts, with the objective of assessing how notation choice influences beginners’ performance. To investigate this, we conducted a controlled experiment during short-term visits aimed at promoting programming in primary schools. Our multinational study divided participants into three groups: one using blockbased notation (Poligot), one using text-based notation (Python), and one using both simultaneously (Poliglot). After completing a training session, the participants engaged in practical programming tasks to assess their performance in Python or the multiple-representation environment Poliglot. The results indicate that the choice of notation did not impact the performance of the participants significantly, as no statistically significant differences were found between the three groups. These findings were consistent across two different countries. Our study suggests that educators can use different notations (Python, Poliglot, or a combination) confidently when introducing programming to beginners. However, the performance results may improve when training sessions are extended over a longer period.
Keywords:
Programming Education, Block-based Programming, Text-based Programming, Multiple-representation Environments, Programming Engagement, Novice Programmers
Tomaž Kosar; Srd̄a Bjeladinović; Dragana Ostojić; Milica S. Škembarević; Žiga Leber; Olga A. Jejić; Matej Moravec; Filip Furtula; Miloš D. Ljubisavljević; Ivan S. Luković; Marjan Mernik; Matej Črepinšek. Comparing Novice Programmers Performance with Block-based, Text-based, and Both Notations: A Study from Two Countries. Computer Science and Information Systems, Tome 23 (2026) no. 1. http://geodesic.mathdoc.fr/item/CSIS_2026_23_1_a4/
@article{CSIS_2026_23_1_a4,
author = {Toma\v{z} Kosar and Srd̄a Bjeladinovi\'c and Dragana Ostoji\'c and Milica S. \v{S}kembarevi\'c and \v{Z}iga Leber and Olga A. Jeji\'c and Matej Moravec and Filip Furtula and Milo\v{s} D. Ljubisavljevi\'c and Ivan S. Lukovi\'c and Marjan Mernik and Matej \v{C}repin\v{s}ek},
title = {Comparing {Novice} {Programmers} {Performance} with {Block-based,} {Text-based,} and {Both} {Notations:} {A} {Study} from {Two} {Countries}},
journal = {Computer Science and Information Systems},
year = {2026},
volume = {23},
number = {1},
url = {http://geodesic.mathdoc.fr/item/CSIS_2026_23_1_a4/}
}
TY - JOUR AU - Tomaž Kosar AU - Srd̄a Bjeladinović AU - Dragana Ostojić AU - Milica S. Škembarević AU - Žiga Leber AU - Olga A. Jejić AU - Matej Moravec AU - Filip Furtula AU - Miloš D. Ljubisavljević AU - Ivan S. Luković AU - Marjan Mernik AU - Matej Črepinšek TI - Comparing Novice Programmers Performance with Block-based, Text-based, and Both Notations: A Study from Two Countries JO - Computer Science and Information Systems PY - 2026 VL - 23 IS - 1 UR - http://geodesic.mathdoc.fr/item/CSIS_2026_23_1_a4/ ID - CSIS_2026_23_1_a4 ER -
%0 Journal Article %A Tomaž Kosar %A Srd̄a Bjeladinović %A Dragana Ostojić %A Milica S. Škembarević %A Žiga Leber %A Olga A. Jejić %A Matej Moravec %A Filip Furtula %A Miloš D. Ljubisavljević %A Ivan S. Luković %A Marjan Mernik %A Matej Črepinšek %T Comparing Novice Programmers Performance with Block-based, Text-based, and Both Notations: A Study from Two Countries %J Computer Science and Information Systems %D 2026 %V 23 %N 1 %U http://geodesic.mathdoc.fr/item/CSIS_2026_23_1_a4/ %F CSIS_2026_23_1_a4