ISCAP Proceedings - 2025

Louisville, KY - November 2025



ISCAP Proceedings: Abstract Presentation


Rethinking the Introduction to Algorithms: A Pedagogical Approach for First-Year College Students


David Rude
Bentley University

Mark Frydenberg
Bentley University

Abstract
Teaching algorithmic thinking to first-year college students is a persistent challenge in computer science education. This paper presents a pedagogical framework that leverages active learning, pseudocode development, and real-world problem decomposition to help students internalize algorithm design before writing code. Drawing from current literature and classroom-tested strategies, this research proposes a structured, interactive method to bridge the gap between problem-solving logic and programming syntax. The findings suggest that reframing algorithms as human-centric processes fosters deeper understanding and skill transfer.