The Effectiveness of Programming Training Using Virtual Environment (Scratch Software) in Improving Programming Skills

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of programming training using virtual environment (scratch software) in improving the programming skills of students of Azad University, Sanandaj Branch. The research method is semi-experimental with pre-test and post-test with control group. The statistical population consisted of all students who took programming courses in the academic year of 97-98(Iranian year), 16 of whom were selected by random sampling. At the beginning of the study, a pre-test was administered to 16 students, 8 of whom were male and 8 female. The students were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. Students in both experimental and control groups had the same level of knowledge and skill in programming. During one semester with the experimental group, scripting graphing software training was used to get to know and understand programming for 10 sessions and each session for 1:30 minutes along with the traditional programming method. Learning programming has been useful and has improved students' skills.