View in EDS

Selecting Suitable Programming Languages for Beginner-Level Instruction

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Selecting Suitable Programming Languages for Beginner-Level Instruction
Language: English
Authors: Adaiti Allen Kadams (ORCID 0000-0002-6381-4226), Solomon Sunday Oyelere (ORCID 0000-0001-9895-6796)
Source: International Journal of Technology in Education and Science. 2026 10(1):133-161.
Availability: International Society for Technology, Education, and Science. e-mail: ijtesoffice@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.ijtes.net
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 29
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Programming Languages, Foreign Countries, Technology Uses in Education, Usability, Value Judgment, Social Influences, Job Skills, Student Attitudes, Undergraduate Students, Preferences, Predictor Variables
Geographic Terms: Nigeria
ISSN: 2651-5369
Abstract: This study examines factors influencing the preference for Python and Java as introductory programming languages in a Nigerian higher education institution. Using an integrated framework combining the Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM2), key constructs such as perceived usefulness, ease of learning, social influence, and industry relevance were identified as crucial in shaping students' preferences. A survey of 308 second-year students revealed Python as the preferred beginner-level language, with 75.6% favoring it over Java. Python's perceived ease of learning (M = 4.09), usefulness (M = 4.41), and alignment with industry demands (M = 4.34) were significantly higher than Java's (M = 3.31, 3.74, and 3.78 respectively). Additionally, 70 students (over 22%) selected C++ as the best alternative, appreciating its ability to provide a deeper understanding of system-level programming. Regression analysis showed perceived usefulness ([beta] = 0.24), ease of learning ([beta] = 0.22), and industry relevance ([beta] = 0.21) as strong predictors of language preference, especially for Python. Students' perceptions of future use and social influence also significantly predicted preferences, highlighting Python's applicability to emerging technologies and career goals. The study recommends prioritizing Python for introductory courses, retaining Java for advanced topics, and integrating Generative AI tools to enhance programming education outcomes.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1494432
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1494432
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1494432
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Selecting Suitable Programming Languages for Beginner-Level Instruction
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Adaiti+Allen+Kadams%22">Adaiti Allen Kadams</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6381-4226">0000-0002-6381-4226</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Solomon+Sunday+Oyelere%22">Solomon Sunday Oyelere</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9895-6796">0000-0001-9895-6796</externalLink>)
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22International+Journal+of+Technology+in+Education+and+Science%22"><i>International Journal of Technology in Education and Science</i></searchLink>. 2026 10(1):133-161.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: International Society for Technology, Education, and Science. e-mail: ijtesoffice@gmail.com; Web site: http://www.ijtes.net
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 29
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Programming+Languages%22">Programming Languages</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Foreign+Countries%22">Foreign Countries</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Technology+Uses+in+Education%22">Technology Uses in Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Usability%22">Usability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Value+Judgment%22">Value Judgment</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+Influences%22">Social Influences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Job+Skills%22">Job Skills</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+Attitudes%22">Student Attitudes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Undergraduate+Students%22">Undergraduate Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Preferences%22">Preferences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Predictor+Variables%22">Predictor Variables</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Geographic Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Nigeria%22">Nigeria</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2651-5369
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This study examines factors influencing the preference for Python and Java as introductory programming languages in a Nigerian higher education institution. Using an integrated framework combining the Extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT2) and the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM2), key constructs such as perceived usefulness, ease of learning, social influence, and industry relevance were identified as crucial in shaping students' preferences. A survey of 308 second-year students revealed Python as the preferred beginner-level language, with 75.6% favoring it over Java. Python's perceived ease of learning (M = 4.09), usefulness (M = 4.41), and alignment with industry demands (M = 4.34) were significantly higher than Java's (M = 3.31, 3.74, and 3.78 respectively). Additionally, 70 students (over 22%) selected C++ as the best alternative, appreciating its ability to provide a deeper understanding of system-level programming. Regression analysis showed perceived usefulness ([beta] = 0.24), ease of learning ([beta] = 0.22), and industry relevance ([beta] = 0.21) as strong predictors of language preference, especially for Python. Students' perceptions of future use and social influence also significantly predicted preferences, highlighting Python's applicability to emerging technologies and career goals. The study recommends prioritizing Python for introductory courses, retaining Java for advanced topics, and integrating Generative AI tools to enhance programming education outcomes.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1494432
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1494432
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 29
        StartPage: 133
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Programming Languages
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Technology Uses in Education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Usability
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Value Judgment
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social Influences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Job Skills
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student Attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Undergraduate Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Preferences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Predictor Variables
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Nigeria
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Selecting Suitable Programming Languages for Beginner-Level Instruction
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Adaiti Allen Kadams
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Solomon Sunday Oyelere
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 2651-5369
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 10
            – Type: issue
              Value: 1
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: International Journal of Technology in Education and Science
              Type: main
ResultId 1