Exploring Language Transfer Quintin Cutts Ethel Tshukudu University

Exploring Language Transfer Quintin Cutts, Ethel Tshukudu University of Glasgow, Centre for Computer Science Education

Outline of the session • Activity 0: Introduction (~5 minutes) • Activity 1: Pre-Quiz (~15 minutes) • Activity 2: Exploring language • Activity 3: Reflection on your answers • Activity 4: Post-Quiz (~10 minutes)

Activity 1: Pre-quiz • Pre-Quiz on Java constructs you have learnt so far • Quiz not assessed so no need to copy/ run/ look up • The goal is to help you transfer well from Python to Java • Answers will be provided during the seminar session • Go to • https: //www. menti. com/ • use code shown at the top (on presentation)

Activity 2: Exploring transfer • Transferring between languages… • Related to transferring between spoken languages • For example, if you know Norwegian, and you are learning English… • If you see "finger" in English, what do you think it means what in Norwegian? "finger"? True Carryover Concept (TCC) (And you would be right!) • If you see "the table" in English, …? "Tabell"? False Carry-over Concept (FCC) (And you’d be wrong)

In programming languages • Syntax – the words/code of the language • Semantics – what happens when the syntax is executed • Concept - higher level, more general, description of constructs (in English) • When learning Java, you can perceive what the Java language means by matching Syntax of Python (known) and Java (new)

Model of Transfer • True carryover construct (TCC) : A Java construct with similar syntax and same semantics as Python • False carryover construct (FCC) : A Java construct with similar syntax but different semantics as Python • Abstract True carryover construct (ATCC): A Java construct with different syntax but the same semantics as Python

Example: True Carryover Construct (TCC)

Example: False Carryover Construct(FTC)

Example: Abstract True Carryover Construct (ATCC)

Activity 3: Reflection on your quiz answers Your Task: • In Discussion with folk near you… • and using the quiz answer sheet provided by your tutor with Java answers and equivalent Python versions • Write answers for the equivalent Python version provided in your answer sheet • You can compile the code on your computer if you do not know the answer • Look over the answers, and compare the outcomes to Python equivalent code snippets, in particular looking for • False Carryover Constructs (FCC) • Abstract Carryover Constructs (ATCC) • Discuss deeply looking at your lecturer notes and online searching to find out why particular concepts are different between the languages. • Make sure you discuss with your tutor your findings

• The table similar to the below given by your tutor can be used in this activity

Activity 4: Post-quiz • Now lets see how much you managed to learn about Java in this seminar • Quiz not assessed so just do your best without discussion/ lookup/ test • Return to your Mentimeter tab and continue quiz