Programming in groups: A progression learning scheme from the individual to the group

The technical literature in cognitive science informs that working in groups reaps more benefits than working alone. We are seeing a variety of innovative group programming methodologies like the agile methods. This work examines the findings of a pilot study carried out during the first academic semester of 2007. The subjects were 110 freshmen computing and engineering students taking their first programming course at the Federal University of Amazonas. Based on these findings, it is proposed a programming progression learning scheme, from individual (current practice) to group programming (the desired practice based on the literature review). Such transition is necessary for students are not used to programming in groups. In order to evaluate such progression learning scheme a case study is outlined.