Abstract:

Students in computer science area should have basic methods in analyzing, specifying, developing, testing, validating, documenting, and maintaining software systems. They should be able to use and create software in various fields of human activity, applying modern approaches, models and techniques to build appropriate solutions, demonstrate the ability to communicate well and to resolve conflicts. IT professionals should have the skills to manage software projects and teamwork.

So, it can be seen that the knowledge and skills required of a quality software specialist are very diverse and come from different scientific fields. Despite this, it is out of question that knowledge and skills in programming are essential. We found that the tasks have specific function in the learning process. They ensure the problematic side in the programming context. We use the tasks as basic knowledge vehicle and they are actually basic mean for education. We use the tasks in two key directions. First, students master the standard approaches and decisions of the basic types of tasks. Second, students find alone the essence of the studied elements through active and focused activities. We demonstrate the essential role of tasks for providing high levels of students’ knowledge and skills and the way of purposeful organization of tasks in systems of tasks. Such organization brings the main goal to achieve the planned educational results. Every system of tasks should cover all stages of learning process, namely introduction, consolidation, application. We demonstrate methodological system of programming tasks with key subsystems. They include whole necessary theoretical and practice knowledge and skills. Every task brings special information which is coherent with the learning unit and it has given place and role.

The selection of tasks in the system aims to develop special skills for future computer science specialists. The required level of difficulty is achieved by incorporating tasks that are closely to those of reality. We describe our observations and initial impressions of student results for their enhanced skills and knowledge in programming.

Keywords:

Computer science, programming, system of tasks.