A statistical assessment of an experiment to compare traditional vs. laboratory approach in teaching introductory computer programming

During the Spring of 1995 a statistical experiment to assess the effects of two methods of teaching introduction to Computer programming concepts was developed. The experiment implemented two teaching approaches: traditional lecture vs. laboratory (tehcnology). Several performance measures were defined and then collected throughout the course, to assess student learning. Among them are: results from common tests, quizzes, and homework/projects. In this article we assess the effects of these two teaching approaches on students' learning, retention, and success rates. We analyze statistically the data collected, testing several hypotheses based on our teaching experience. Finally, we give several conclusions drawn on the analyses results.