Designing a user- centered mobile application to enhance programming skills among high school learners

Author

Chikerema, Kokerai

Title

Designing a user- centered mobile application to enhance programming skills among high school learners

Abstract

Programming skills are increasingly essential in the digital era; however, many high school learners experience difficulties in acquiring these skills due to abstract concepts, limited engagement, and inadequate access to interactive learning tools. This study focused on the design and development of a user-centered mobile application aimed at enhancing programming skills among high school learners. Guided by User-Centered Design (UCD) and Human–Computer Interaction (HCI) principles, the project employed a mixed-methods approach involving surveys and interviews with high school students and computer science teachers to identify learners’ needs, challenges, and preferences. The findings informed the design requirements and feature prioritization of the mobile application, which incorporated interactive coding exercises, real-time feedback, gamification elements, and personalized learning paths. A functional prototype was developed and evaluated through usability testing to assess user engagement, usability, and perceived educational effectiveness. Results indicated that the application improved learner motivation, understanding of fundamental programming concepts, and overall learning experience. Despite limitations related to sample size and prototype scope, the study demonstrates that user-centered mobile applications can effectively supplement traditional programming instruction. The study recommends further development, large-scale implementation, and integration of such applications into high school computer science curricula.

Date

September 2025

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Educational Technology

Mobile Learning

Coding Education

Supervisor

Dr. Chikerema, T.