Video Versus Source Code Lab Solutions

Abstract

Traditionally university programming modules have been delivered using a blend of lectures, tutorials, and practical lab sessions. Although the lab sessions offer valuable hands-on practice, they are constrained by time, limited individualised pacing, and insufficient feedback opportunities. The solutions for the labs are normally provided as static source code, with students reviewing their attempts against the model answer. The use of video-based solutions for lab exercises has the potential to enhance flexibility and interactivity for the lab. This study explores the attitudes, experiences, and impact of the wholesale provision of video-based lab solutions in improving the student performance of a cohort of postgraduate novice programmers. It reports high student engagement with the video solutions with a clear preference for a dynamic build-up style. It also identifies separate engagement styles with the videos as well as overall improvement in module averages compared to previous cohorts. The findings highlight the potential of video-based lab solutions to enhance student learning in programming modules and adds to the literature in a relatively under-researched area and presents potential of further adoption and adaption in programming and other engineering disciplines.