The effects of pre-training types on cognitive load, self-efficacy, and problem-solving in computer programming

This study investigated the effects of pre-training types on cognitive load, self-efficacy, and problem-solving in computer programming. Pre-training was provided to help learners acquire schemas related to problem-solving strategies. 84 undergraduate students were randomly assigned to one of three groups and each group received three different types of pre-training: 1) WOE (worked-out example) and metacognitive scaffolding, 2) faded WOE and metacognitive scaffolding, and 3) WOE and faded metacognitive scaffolding. After the pre-training phase, the participants’ cognitive load, self-efficacy, and programming problem-solving skills were analyzed. Then, during the training phase, the participants were asked to attempt a programming problem-solving task with faded WOE and faded metacognitive scaffoldings. After the training phase, the participants’ cognitive load, self-efficacy, and programming problem-solving were analyzed again. The findings revealed that providing both cognitive scaffolding (i.e., WOE or faded WOE) and non-faded metacognitive scaffolding during the pre-training phase is effective for novice learners for optimizing cognitive load, promoting self-efficacy, and enhancing programming problem-solving skills.