Comparative Analysis of Interactive Coding

Platforms VS Traditional Classroom Instructions

in Computing and Information Technology
Department in National University Dasmarinas
Adolfo, Jan Andrei Apiladas, Gene Royce Dela Cruz, Einreb Benedict
Department of Computing and Department of Computing and Department of Computing and
Information Technology Information Technology Information Technology
NU Dasmarinas = School of NU Dasmarinas = School of NU Dasmarinas = School of
Engineering Computing and Engineering Computing and Engineering Computing and
Architecture Architecture Architecture
Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Philippines Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Philippines Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Philippines
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Almanzor, Isabella Faith Canta, Shiela Mae Reyes, Carl Michael

Department of Computing and Department of Tourism Department of Computing and
Management Information Technology
Information Technology
NU Dasmarinas = School of Business, NU Dasmarinas = School of
NU Dasmarinas = School of
Management, Accounting
Engineering Computing and Engineering Computing and
Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Philippines Architecture
Architecture
[email protected] Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Philippines
Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Philippines
[email protected] [email protected]
Casanova, John Cedric
Department of Computing and Vargas, Dion Cedrick Gabriel
Alpuerto, Chrisdion Erick Department of Computing and
Information Technology
Department of Tourism Management NU Dasmarinas = School of Information Technology
NU Dasmarinas = School of Engineering Computing and NU Dasmarinas = School of
Business, Management, Accounting Architecture Engineering Computing and
Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Philippines Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Philippines Architecture
[email protected] [email protected] Dasmarinas City, Cavite, Philippines
[email protected]

Abstract— The field of coding and programming has gained programmers, two prominent educational approaches have
immense importance in the Philippines, ranking as the second emerged: traditional classroom instruction and interactive online
most in-demand job in 2021. To address the skills gap in aspiring coding platforms. This research aims to determine which
approach is more effective in teaching coding to beginners by On the other hand, the advent of interactive online
systematically evaluating learning outcomes, coding proficiency, platforms such as Udemy, CodeAcademy, Coursera, and
and overall educational experiences. The study's objectives
include distinguishing students using interactive coding platforms EdX has resulted in the emergence of a flexible and self-
from those using traditional classroom instruction, comparing paced learning environment. These platforms break the
their average grades, and identifying the effectiveness of materials down into smaller chunks followed by
interactive coding platforms. The research methodology involves exercises, which are easier to understand and follow than
participants from the CIT Department, with data gathered
through a self-made questionnaire. The analysis employs a two-
a larger amount of information at once (Shen, R. & Lee,
sample t-test to compare the mean grades of students using M. 2020). This structured content is particularly helpful
interactive coding platforms with those using traditional to beginners due to its accessibility and offered learner
classroom instruction. The results demonstrate that the mean environment.
average of grades for students using interactive coding platforms
is higher, indicating the effectiveness of this approach. This study
provides valuable insights into the effectiveness of interactive While both traditional classroom instruction and
coding platforms in teaching coding to beginners, with practical interactive coding platforms have their respective merits,
implications for educational institutions and instructors to further the imperative now lies in determining their relative
improve the teaching method of programming to their own effectiveness. By evaluating the academic achievement of
students.
students from the CIT Department at NU Dasmarinas
who have been exposed to at least one or both of this
KEYWORDS: I. INTRODUCTION learning methods, this study seeks to offer insights for the
As the second CIT Department at NU Dasmarinas in deciding on the
Interactive Coding most efficient approach for teaching beginners to code by
highest in-demand job in
Platform the Philippines in 2021 methodically evaluating the learning outcomes, coding
(Statista Research proficiency, and overall educational experiences of these
Department, 2023). As a students.
result, various
educational approaches
and platforms have been A. Research Description
prevalent to bridge the
skill gap of aspiring and beginner programmers to create ● Objectives (General and Specific)
proficient software developers, and other professional IT
related jobs, with the traditional classroom instruction in The general objective of the study is to assess the
Tertiary level and interactive online coding platforms effectiveness of interactive coding platforms by
standing out as two prominent methodologies. comparing the academic performance of the students
from the Computing and Information Technology
The traditional classroom instruction approach, rooted Department in National University - Dasmariñas that use
in the historical foundations of education, provides the said platforms to the academic performance of
students within the CIT Department at NU Dasmarinas students who use traditional classroom instructions.
with face-to-face interaction with experienced instructors
to provide programming language to students. However, Specifically, the study aimed to;
programming courses taught in a classroom setting can be
very difficult for an instructor to go beyond covering the 1.Distinguish the students from Computing and
language's syntax, such as program design skills and Information Technology Department in National
problem-solving skills, in such a constrained class period University - Dasmariñas that use the said platforms from
because of the wide range of student backgrounds (Salleh students who use traditional classroom instructions
et al. 2018). But despite this, If students encounter
difficulties with assignments or have inquiries about a 2. Compare the average grades of the students from
lecture during a traditional classroom setting, it is Computing and Information Technology Department in
typically straightforward to engage in direct National University - Dasmariñas that use the said
communication with the instructor either before or after platforms from the average grade of the students who use
the class, or to arrange online meetings at alternative traditional classroom learning.
times.(Sadeghi, 2019).
3. Identify whether the said platforms are effective to use
as alternative learning than use traditional classroom ● Expected Output
learning.
1. Compared the academic performance to students who
● Hypothesis of the Study use the platforms and students who used traditional
Alternative Hypothesis (HA1) classroom instructions.
The mean average of the grades of
students who use interactive coding platforms is 2. Learned the effectiveness of using online interactive
greater than the mean average of the grades of coding platforms
students who use traditional classroom
instructions. Proving the interactive coding 3. Recommend some interactive coding platforms that are
platforms effective. effective for students who plan to study coding or plan to
pursue computer science.
Null Hypothesis (HO1)
The mean average of the grades of ● Resource Requirement
students who use interactive coding platforms is
less than the mean average of the grades of Reading resources:
students who use traditional classroom Books, Journals, Internet articles
instructions. Proving interactive coding
platforms not effective. Software:
Google Docs ,Microsoft Teams, T-Test
● Importance of the Study Calculator, T-Distribution Grapher

The study aims to investigate the effectiveness of Hardware:

online coding platforms by comparing the academic Cellphone, Laptop, Personal Computers
performance of the students from Computing and
Information Technology Department in National II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
University - Dasmariñas who use the platforms and This chapter is a summarization and
students who use traditional classroom instructions. synthesis of the literature and the result of other
Furthermore, the study could be of importance to the related research to which the present is related or
following: has some learning or similarity.
School The school may refer to this research study
to be able to know the students’ preferred learning Independent sample t-tests and non-
style. parametric Mann-Whitney tests showed no
significant differences in achievement, attitude, and
Professors motivation, indicating no significant difference in
The professors can refer to this study to know the effectiveness between web-based courses and
effectiveness of online interactive coding platforms traditional on-campus course. (Gordon, 2003)
and use the said platforms to further improve their Cossaboon (2020) discovered that there
teaching. were no statistically significant distinctions in the
final course grades based on the learning
Students environment or gender. The Mann-Whitney U-test
This study may be of importance to the students by
indicated that the average ranks of the final grades
being able to know if online interactive coding
platforms are effective in studying coding. were not significantly different between the online
group (mean rank = 133.97) and the traditional
Future Researchers group (mean rank = 132.57) (U=7836.5, p = 0.884).
This research might serve as a foundation for the Similarly, the Kruskal-Wallis H-test revealed that
future researchers who are currently working on or there were no statistically significant differences in
researching related studies. the mean ranks of final grades among the traditional
male group (mean rank = 108.79), traditional
female group (mean rank = 147.71), online male
group (mean rank = 143.65), and online female A. Participants
group (mean rank = 131.04) (χ2(3) = 6.814, p = The participants of the study will be students
0.078). from the Computing and Information Technology
Department from National University Dasmarinas for the
By comparing the scores before and after
academic year 2022-2023. Using purposive sampling, the
implementing the mixed teaching mode with SPOC, researchers will distinguish the students who use
it becomes evident that students' scores have interactive coding platforms and students who use
significantly improved compared to their scores traditional classroom learning. The identified respondents
before adopting this teaching method. The will be 5 students that use interactive coding platforms
experimental class now has a higher rate of and 5 students who use traditional classroom instructions.
excellence and passing, showcasing the positive
impact of this teaching approach on students' B. Data Gathering Materials
learning performance. (Li & Zhai, 2023) This study will utilize a self-made questionnaire
consisting of 5 questions. The first question asks the
respondent if they use online interactive coding
Synthesis
platforms, the second question asks to rate the platforms,
Several studies have examined the the third questions asks to rate traditional classroom
effectiveness of different teaching modes and instructions and discussions, the fourth questions asks the
learning environments. Gordon's research in 2003 respondent’s preference, and the fifth question asks the
found that independent sample t-tests and non- respondent’s grade in their programming subjects.
parametric Mann-Whitney tests revealed no
significant differences in achievement, attitude, and C. Data Gathering Procedure
motivation between web-based courses and This study will be conducted at National
traditional on-campus courses. Similarly, University Dasmarinas during the 1st Term of the
Cossaboon's 2020 study showed no statistically academic year 2023-2024 with all Computing and
significant distinctions in final course grades based Information Technology students as the respondents.
Data needed for this correlational study will be gathered
on the learning environment or gender, as indicated
using a self-made questionnaire consisting of 5 questions.
by Mann-Whitney U-tests and Kruskal-Wallis H-
The questionnaire will be distributed via online platform.
tests.
Furthermore, a recent study by Li and Zhai Necessary permission from the researchers’
in 2023 found that the implementation of a mixed Science, Technology, and Society professor will be
teaching mode with SPOC led to a significant secured before conducting the study. After the permission
improvement in students' scores, with a higher rate is granted, the researchers will ask the assistance of the
of excellence and passing in the experimental class. class representatives to distribute the questionnaire by
This suggests a positive impact on students' sending the link of the questionnaire.
learning performance. Collectively, these studies
provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of After the dissemination of the instrument is
various teaching approaches and underscore the completed, responses will be tallied, tabulated, analyzed,
and interpreted using the proper statistical treatment
potential for enhancing student outcomes. needed for the study. The responses will be treated with
III. METHODS utmost confidentiality.
The study entitled “A Comparative Study to Assess the D. Statistical Data Analysis
Effectiveness of Interactive Coding Platforms in This study will utilize the two sample t-test,
Instructing Beginners in Coding in Contrast to Exclusive specifically the independent sample t-test. The two
Use of Traditional Classroom Instructions Using sample t-test is test used to compare the population mean
Academic Performance of Students from CIT of two sample groups. The researcherss will compare the
Department of NU Dasmarinas” aims to investigate the average grades of students who uses interactive online
effectiveness of interactive online coding platforms. The coding platforms to the average grade of students who use
methods section will discuss the process of achieving the traditional classroom instructions. If the average grade of
goal of the study.
the students use interactive coding platforms is higher Table 4.1 Mean Distribution of Grades of
than the average grade of students who use traditional Students Who Use Interactive Coding Platforms
classroom learning, the researchers will conclude that and Students Who Use Traditional Classroom
interactive coding platforms are effective. The Instructions
reseaarchers will use a software that is a T-test calculator.
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
This section displays the results obtained by
the researchers using figures and tables. This section
will also show the interpretation of the results and
display the conclusion.
A. Results

Figure 4.2 T-Distribution for Testing of The

Null Hypothesis using Left-Tailed Test
B. Discussion

Pie Graph
Figure 4.1 shows the graphical representation of
the survey results for the first question. It distinguishes
Figure 4.1 Graphical Representation of Survey students who use interactive coding platforms to students
Results to Distinguish Students Who Use Coding who use traditional classroom instructions. With the
Platforms To Students Who Do not sample size being 10, it shows that 50%(5) of the
respondents use interactive coding platforms and 50%(5)
of the respondents use traditional classroom instructions.
This shows that half of the respondents use interactive
coding platforms and the other half use traditional
classroom instructions.

Grades of Students Grades of Students

Who Use Interactive Who Use Traditional Mean Distribution
Coding Platforms Classroom Table 4.1 shows the tabular representation of the
Instructions survey results for the fifth question. It shows the grades
of the students who use interactive coding platforms and
3.5 3.0 students who use traditional classroom learning. It shows
that the respective grades of students who use interactive
3.2 3.3 coding platforms are: 3.5, 3.2, 3.0, 3.1, 2.7 with a mean
average of 3.100 while the students who use traditional
3.0 3.2 classroom instructions have a mean average of: 3.0, 3.3,
3.2, 2.9, 3.0 with a mean average of 3.080.
3.1 2.9
T Distribution
2.7 3.0 Figure 4.2 shows the t distribution graph to
compare the average grades of students who use
Mean: 3.100 Mean: 3.080 interactive coding platforms and students who use
traditional classroom instructions. The researchers got the
mean average of the grades first stated in Table 4.1. Then,
they calculated the standard deviation of the two groups
which is 0.292 for the first group (students who use
interactive coding platforms) and 0.164 for the second suggestions and who worked actively to provide the
group (students who use traditional classroom researchers with the protected academic time to pursue
instructions). With the sample size of 5 for each group, this study. The researchers are grateful to all those whom
the researchers calculated the degrees of freedom which they had the pleasure to work with during this and other
is 8. Then, they calculates the t-score of 0.1336 and the p- related studies. Each of the members of their group has
value of 0.5515. With this data, they graphed the t- been provided with extensive personal, and professional
distribution with a 0.05 significance level. The results guidance and taught them a great deal about both
shows that the t-score is way off the distribution level and scientific research and life in general.
that means the null hypothesis is rejected and the
alternative hypothesis is accepted. Nobody has been more important to researchers
in pursuit of this project than the members of their family.
The researchers would like to thank their parents, whose
V. CONCLUSIONS love and guidance are with them in whatever they pursue
The study conducted among the students from and provide the researchers with unending inspiration.
Computing and Information Technology Department at They are the ultimate role models. The researchers could
National University Dasmarinas reveals that among the never finish the study without the help of their classmates
sample size, 5 of them have used interactive coding from COM231. Their undying support and love are those
platforms while 5 of them used traditional classroom who kept the researchers strong. The researchers would
instructions. also like to thank the participants who willingly
participated to finish this study. The researchers are glad
The study revealed that the mean average of the and grateful to have the aforementioned people by their
grades of students who use interactive coding platforms side. They could not have done it without them.
is 3.100 while the average grades of students who use
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