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Codespec: A Computer Programming Practice Environment

Computing education researchers (CERs) theorize that learning how to program requires the development of at least four skills: code reading and tracing, code writing, pattern comprehension, and pattern application [see 30]. Developing these skills requires deliberate practice which involves engaging in tasks specifically designed to improve ones’ skills in a particular domain [11]. Web-based interactive programming practice environments such as CloudCoder [23], CodeChef [7], CodeLab [1], CodeWars [8], CodingBat[25], Edabit [19], and LeetCode [17] can be considered informal and/or open-ended learning environments (OELEs) that support deliberate practice—the learner decides what to learn and when [3, 12, 24]. OELEs support self-directed learning [14, 16, 18] of computing topics by inspiring programmers to complete projects that are meaningful to them [21], by helping programmers build self-confidence, and by increasing programmers’ sense of control over their learning process [5]. But the absence of a predefined curriculum and/or scaffolding, which are tenets of OELEs [12, 16, 18],