Research trends on learning computer programming with program animation: A systematic mapping study

Abstract

Over the last few decades, computer programming has become an important field of endeavor due to rapid development in the information sector. Despite the importance of programming, there is a growing concern that it is relatively difficult. In the process, researchers have started employing media tools to reduce programming difficulties and motivate learners to approach programming problems. One of the common tools widely used is program animation—an instructional medium that incorporates animated characters. However, little is known about the research trends in this field of study. This article, therefore, employed a systematic mapping method to review this trend to find patterns and gaps left in the literature. The study extracted 48 articles published between 2000 and 2022 from four scientific databases (Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and ERIC) and three digital libraries (ACM Digital Library, IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and Wiley Online Library). The review discovered important trends. First, there is a paucity of research evidence evaluating program animation in the context of secondary and elementary levels, the majority of the extracted studies focused on participants from tertiary institutions. A similar paucity of research evidence employing mixed methods and qualitative approaches was also noted. Scratch programs were used in recent research more often than other program animations. There is also too little evaluation of psychomotor variables. Finally, there exist inconsistent findings on the effect of program animation although plenty of studies revealed positive results in favor of these media tools. The study therefore recommends that future research should be conducted to fill these identified gaps.