The effect of the CABLE approach on the levels of mental engagement of students in computer programming

This paper reports on the findings of the third of a series of trials (Project 3) which evaluated the impact of CABLE, a cognitive apprenticeship based learning environment on the teaching of computer programming at the National University of Samoa The results of the first two trials (Project 1 and Project 2) had shown that students exposed to CABLE evidenced increased scores on a post-test relative to those taught in the traditional (non-CABLE) mode of instruction. The aim of Project 3 was to investigate the effect of CABLE on the levels of mental engagement of students. The results of Project 3 indicated significant differences, in the levels of mental engagement, in students taught programming skills within CABLE classes, when compared to students taught programming skills within non-CABLE classes.