The assessment of cognitive skills for computer science education

Traditionally, hypotheses about learning outcomes in computer science have emphasized individual differences between learners in mathematical ability, background in computing, gender and anxiety about computers. However, few models of computer science education address the individual level of metacognitive ability such as mental modeling, analogical reasoning and strategy selection needed for todays object-oriented practitioner. As part of a plan to incorporate the object-oriented paradigm into an integrated computer science curriculum, the authors have developed a model for the assessment and enhancement of metacognitive skills of computer science students at Stetson University, USA.