Meaningful learning in the tutoring system for programming

Tutoring systems for programming helps students to understand features of target programming language, and develops their general problem solving skill. Our system guides novices in learning syntax and semantics of programming language, problem decomposition, program design and testing. The notional machine defined by programming language and its verbal description of instruction actions helps students to understand semantics of instructions. Advancement through the course material controlled by computer teacher supports connection of new concepts to the present studentpsilas knowledge.