Learning objects for C++

Programming is a difficult cognitive skill to learn. It requires knowledge and skills in many areas, such as the syntax, semantics and pragmatics of programming languages, creative problem solving, development environment and a multitude of software tools (e.g. IDE, compiler), algorithms and data structures, programming concepts and paradigms (e.g. object-orientation, functions, variables), program design and programming patterns. Novice students will fear anything new such as programming languages, while weak students will find this a burden and try to memorize the processes without understanding them. This paper describes a set of learning objects which are used to give students visual representations of how some parts of program code affect the working memory. The represented parts are the parts of the curriculum that are "problematic to learn" for many students, and requires additional explanation and time for understanding. With the ability to visually explore programs and see what is going on behind the code in the memory, teachers expect that those students who have lower cognitive skills for learning C++ programming language, will be able to make more sense of program executions and programming concepts.