Online Assessment in Programming Courses: A Multiple Case Study

Abstract

We present an instrumental, multiple-case study exploring issues relating to student efficacy and practical skills acquisition. Specifically, we explore the relationship between efficacy, as measured by a final online assessment, and the number and type of pre-final assessments. Online final assessment remains a constant throughout the cases of our multiple-case study, while number and type of pre-final assessments vary. Our cross-case synthesis indicates a positive relationship between programming efficacy, as measured by performance on a final online assessment, and the number of pre-final online assessments, consistent with results predicted for theoretical pedagogical work, and suggested by other empirical reports.