Analogy and Its Limitations in Teaching Computer Science Concepts

[[abstract]]The purposes of this study are to understand the effectiveness of using analogies in teaching computer science concepts, and to assess the effects of indicating limitations of an analogy in written text. An experimental design was implemented in order fulfill these objectives. Two hundred fifty-five high school students served as the subjects for this study. Subjects were randomly assigned to analogical group Ⅰ (using analogical materials with limitations indicated), analogical groupⅡ (using an alogical materials without limitations indicated), or non-analogical group (using materials without any analogy). The results showed that the analogical materials were effective in helping students learning computer science concepts; however, the effects of indicating limitations of an analogy were inconclusive.