CHALLENGES IN TEACHING PROGRAMMING AND ALGORITHMS

In high schools and universities algorithms and programming languages are largely studied. Though, teachers face many difficulties in teaching and not always is easy for them to choose the most appropriate and effective methods for a good transmission of information. The students sometimes not correctly identify situations for applying the algorithms presented by the teacher. In this article, based on a survey made among 60 students, we have identified factors that contribute to this situation and we propose some solutions. Our solutions are compatible with the actual Romanian education system and are based on our didactic experience. Using open source technologies that could be integrated in a Learning Management System, teachers can improve the teaching strategies emphasizing the programming applicative part. Many educators claim that "learning through practice" is by far the best way to learn computer programming and to engage novice students.