Documentation literacy as a metacognitive skill in computer programming

Computer programming is a vital activity in modern research, and effective programming requires utilization of software documentation. Although an extensive literature exists about the characteristics, practices, and challenges of software documentation in the development process, the introduction of documentation to novices has apparently been neglected. Documentation literacy is proposed here as a metacognitive skill involved in teaching, learning, and doing computer programming. The concept of documentation literacy can be utilized by instructors in order to raise learners' awareness of documentation and its value, to develop learner facility with documentation, and to ultimately improve learner performance and sense of mastery. Documentation literacy relates to and builds upon existing concepts of information literacy and metacognition. Practical examples will be given for trainers delivering demonstration, as well as learners' practice exercises