Programming is an essential skill for data analysis. Although distributed practice is proven to be effective in improving declarative knowledge learning, it shows contradictory results when applied to procedural knowledge. Programming is considered a procedural knowledge as students need to learn how to describe computational process. But a programming novice also needs to remember and understand a lot of syntax, which is just like word and text memorization. In this work, we used distributed practice to improve non-engineering students’ learning of C programming.

Does a Distributed Practice Strategy for Multiple Choice Questions Help Novices Learn Programming?:
Introduction

- Distributed practice = a practice using many short sessions over a long period of time. 

- Massed practice = a practice using fewer, but longer, practice sessions. 

Using a distributed practice is proven to be an effective method in improving students learning outcomes. Students’ memory can stay for a longer time through distributed practice than massed practice. This is called the “spacing effect”.

Western Michigan University

Students space out their studying instead of massing (i.e. review the learning materials over a longer period of time). 

Spacing Effect in Study Habits

Zhang, L., Li, B., Zhang, Q. & Hsiao, I.H. (2020). Does a Distributed Practice Strategy for Multiple Choice Questions Help Novices Learn Programming?. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 15(18), 234-250. Kassel, Germany: International Journal of Emerging Technology in Learning. Retrieved March 16, 2021 from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/217888/.

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