Implementing Personalised Learning For Mixed Ability Students For Computer Programming In A Learning Environment

Computer programming is still a challenge today due to its complex nature. In mixed ability classes, slow students face difficulties in following the pace of their teachers and, very often they lag behind and fail in acquiring the necessary programming skills. A personalized learning environment was implemented to cater for pedagogical assistance mainly in terms of customized content and relevant feedback for low, average and high level students, in order to enable them progress at their own pace. As methodology, a pre-test on key components of programming was carried out in order to understand the students' difficulties in learning programming. The platform was developed using codeigniter 3 and MySQL database. The interactions were logged and analysed. The exponential moving average was used in the system to enable teachers to monitor all the students progress and thereafter, take remedial actions accordingly. The system has been tested by a team of thirty students, for a duration of nine weeks, from a private upper secondary school. The result shows there has been an improvement in the post test as well as the summative assessment. The platform, along with its pedagogical set up and the supports of the teacher, has positive impacts on all the students progress and perception.