| Date | Speaker | Talk |
| Feb 26, 2009 | Matthew C. Jadud, Assistant Professor of Computer Science, Allegheny College | "Exploring the Behavior of Novice Programmers" |
Edit, compile... edit, compile. This tireless cycle dates back to the sixties, when the cost of editing and compiling a program was susbantial. Despite this being a long-standing interaction between human and computer, we do not have a good understanding of how novice programmers interact with the compiler, a complex and cryptic piece of software.
In our ongoing studies, we have employed on-line protocols as well as live observation to begin unraveling the role of compilers in a student's programming education. Recent work has shown a connection between detectable behaviors (i.e. number of syntax errors made in sequence) and frustration, a discernible but complex emotional state. Our short-term goal is to support the lerner with sensible interventions based on automated observation of their interactions with the compiler and their environment. Long-term, we hope our work provides a human-centered foundation for the design of languages and their environments.