{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,5,9]],"date-time":"2026-05-09T08:00:53Z","timestamp":1778313653945,"version":"3.51.4"},"reference-count":42,"publisher":"Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)","issue":"4","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2017,8,24]],"date-time":"2017-08-24T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1503532800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/www.acm.org\/publications\/policies\/copyright_policy#Background"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/100000001","name":"U.S. National Science Foundation","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["EEC1329262 and EEC1449238"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["EEC1329262 and EEC1449238"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/100000001","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":["dl.acm.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["ACM Trans. Comput. Educ."],"published-print":{"date-parts":[[2017,12,31]]},"abstract":"<jats:p>This article presents two case studies aimed at exploring the use of self-explanations in the context of computational science and engineering (CSE) education. The self-explanations were elicited as students\u2019 in-code comments of a set of worked-examples, and the cases involved two different approaches to CSE education: glass box and black box. The glass-box approach corresponds to a programming course for materials science and engineering students that focuses on introducing programming concepts while solving disciplinary problems. The black-box approach involves the introduction of Python-based computational tools within a thermodynamics course to represent disciplinary phenomena. Two semesters of data collection for each case study allowed us to identify the effect of using in-code comments as a self-explanation strategy on students\u2019 engagement with the worked-examples and students\u2019 perceptions of these activities within each context. The results suggest that the use of in-code comments as a self-explanation strategy increased students\u2019 awareness of the worked-examples while engaging with them. The students\u2019 perceived uses of the in-code commenting activities include: understanding the example, making a connection between the programming code and the disciplinary problem, and becoming familiar with the programming language syntax, among others.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.1145\/3058751","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2017,8,24]],"date-time":"2017-08-24T11:49:04Z","timestamp":1503575344000},"page":"1-21","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":48,"title":["Writing In-Code Comments to Self-Explain in Computational Science and Engineering Education"],"prefix":"10.1145","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Camilo","family":"Vieira","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Purdue University"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Alejandra J.","family":"Magana","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Purdue University"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"Michael L.","family":"Falk","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Johns Hopkins University"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]},{"given":"R. Edwin","family":"Garcia","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Purdue University"}],"role":[{"role":"author","vocabulary":"crossref"}]}],"member":"320","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2017,8,24]]},"reference":[{"key":"e_1_2_1_1_1","first-page":"5","article-title":"Gibbs computational simulation as a teaching tool for students understanding of thermodynamics of materials concepts","volume":"37","author":"Alabi O.","year":"2015","unstructured":"O. Alabi , A. J. Magana , and R. E. Garcia . 2015 . Gibbs computational simulation as a teaching tool for students understanding of thermodynamics of materials concepts . J. Mater. Educ. 37 , 5 -- 6 (2015), 239--260 O. Alabi, A. J. Magana, and R. E. Garcia. 2015. Gibbs computational simulation as a teaching tool for students understanding of thermodynamics of materials concepts. J. Mater. Educ. 37, 5--6 (2015), 239--260","journal-title":"J. Mater. Educ."},{"key":"e_1_2_1_2_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.3102\/00346543070002181"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_3_1","volume-title":"Proceedings of the 2016 11th Iberian Conference on Information Systems and Technologies (CISTI\u201916)","author":"Aureliano Viviane C. O.","unstructured":"Viviane C. O. Aureliano , Patricia C. de AR Tedesco, and Michael E. Caspersen. 2016. Learning programming through stepwise self-explanations . In Proceedings of the 2016 11th Iberian Conference on Information Systems and Technologies (CISTI\u201916) . AISTI, 1--6. Viviane C. O. Aureliano, Patricia C. de AR Tedesco, and Michael E. Caspersen. 2016. Learning programming through stepwise self-explanations. In Proceedings of the 2016 11th Iberian Conference on Information Systems and Technologies (CISTI\u201916). AISTI, 1--6."},{"key":"e_1_2_1_4_1","unstructured":"J. D. Bransford A. L. Brown and R. Cocking. 2000. How People Learn. National Academy Press Washington DC.  J. D. Bransford A. L. Brown and R. Cocking. 2000. How People Learn. National Academy Press Washington DC."},{"key":"e_1_2_1_5_1","volume-title":"Lectures and simulation laboratories to improve learners","author":"Brophy Sean P.","year":"2013","unstructured":"Sean P. Brophy , Alejandra J. Magana , and Alejandro Strachan . 2013. Lectures and simulation laboratories to improve learners \u2019 conceptual understanding. Adv. Eng. Educ . 3, 3 ( 2013 ). Sean P. Brophy, Alejandra J. Magana, and Alejandro Strachan. 2013. Lectures and simulation laboratories to improve learners\u2019 conceptual understanding. Adv. Eng. Educ. 3, 3 (2013)."},{"key":"e_1_2_1_6_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/0022-0663.86.3.360"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_7_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1756-8765.2008.01005.x"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_8_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1207\/s15516709cog1302_1"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_9_1","volume-title":"Chi","author":"Chiu Jennifer L.","year":"2014","unstructured":"Jennifer L. Chiu and Michelene T. H . Chi . 2014 . Supporting self-explanation in the classroom. Acknowl. Dedicat . (2014), 91. Jennifer L. Chiu and Michelene T. H. Chi. 2014. Supporting self-explanation in the classroom. Acknowl. Dedicat. (2014), 91."},{"key":"e_1_2_1_10_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.calphad.2010.07.005"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_11_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1017\/S0140525X01003922"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_12_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1177\/0963721409359277"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_13_1","volume-title":"Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches","author":"Creswell John W.","unstructured":"John W. Creswell . 2013. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches . Sage . John W. Creswell. 2013. Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches. Sage."},{"key":"e_1_2_1_14_1","unstructured":"A. C. Graesser D. F. Halpern and M. Hakel. 2007. 25 Principles of Learning. Technical Report. Task Force on Lifelong Learning at Work and at Home. Washington DC. Retrieved from http:\/\/www.psyc.memphis.edu\/learning\/whatweknow\/index.shtml.  A. C. Graesser D. F. Halpern and M. Hakel. 2007. 25 Principles of Learning. Technical Report. Task Force on Lifelong Learning at Work and at Home. Washington DC. Retrieved from http:\/\/www.psyc.memphis.edu\/learning\/whatweknow\/index.shtml."},{"key":"e_1_2_1_15_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.2466\/11.IT.3.1"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_16_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"L. Kester F. Paas and J. J. G. van Merri\u00ebnboer. 2010. Instructional control of cognitive load in the design of complex learning envinronments. In Cognitive Load Theory J. Plass R. Moreno and R. Br\u00fcnken (Eds.). 109--130.  L. Kester F. Paas and J. J. G. van Merri\u00ebnboer. 2010. Instructional control of cognitive load in the design of complex learning envinronments. In Cognitive Load Theory J. Plass R. Moreno and R. Br\u00fcnken (Eds.). 109--130.","DOI":"10.1017\/CBO9780511844744.008"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_17_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.tics.2006.08.004"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_18_1","volume-title":"Proceedings of the American Educational Research Association Meeting: Understanding Complex Ecologies in a Changing World.","author":"Magana Alejandra J.","unstructured":"Alejandra J. Magana , Sean P. Brophy , and George M. Bodner . 2010. The transparency paradox: Computational simulations as learning tools for engineering graduate education . In Proceedings of the American Educational Research Association Meeting: Understanding Complex Ecologies in a Changing World. Alejandra J. Magana, Sean P. Brophy, and George M. Bodner. 2010. The transparency paradox: Computational simulations as learning tools for engineering graduate education. In Proceedings of the American Educational Research Association Meeting: Understanding Complex Ecologies in a Changing World."},{"key":"e_1_2_1_19_1","first-page":"1033","article-title":"Student views of engineering professors technological pedagogical content knowledge for integrating computational simulation tools in nanoscale","volume":"28","author":"Magana Alejandra J.","year":"2012","unstructured":"Alejandra J. Magana , Sean P. Brophy , and George M. Bodner . 2012 . Student views of engineering professors technological pedagogical content knowledge for integrating computational simulation tools in nanoscale . Int. J. Eng. Educ. 28 , 5 (2012), 1033 -- 1045 . http:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar?hl&equals;en Alejandra J. Magana, Sean P. Brophy, and George M. Bodner. 2012. Student views of engineering professors technological pedagogical content knowledge for integrating computational simulation tools in nanoscale. Int. J. Eng. Educ. 28, 5 (2012), 1033--1045. http:\/\/scholar.google.com\/scholar?hl&equals;en","journal-title":"Int. J. Eng. Educ."},{"key":"e_1_2_1_20_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1145\/2534971"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_21_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chb.2016.03.025"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_22_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1109\/MCSE.2012.13"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_23_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1145\/356835.356841"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_24_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/BF02505024"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_25_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/h0043158"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_26_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"R. Moreno and B. Park. 2010. Cognitive load theory: Historical development and relation to other theories. In Cognitive Load Theory J. Plass R. Moreno and R. Br\u00fcnken (Eds.). Cambridge University Press New York 9--28.  R. Moreno and B. Park. 2010. Cognitive load theory: Historical development and relation to other theories. In Cognitive Load Theory J. Plass R. Moreno and R. Br\u00fcnken (Eds.). Cambridge University Press New York 9--28.","DOI":"10.1017\/CBO9780511844744.003"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_27_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1145\/2787622.2787733"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_28_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.4102\/ijmla.v1i1.3"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_31_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1207\/S15326985EP3801_1"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_32_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1037\/0022-0663.86.1.122"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_33_1","volume-title":"Qualitative Research 8 Evaluation Methods","author":"Patton M. Q.","unstructured":"M. Q. Patton . 2002. Qualitative Research 8 Evaluation Methods ( 2 nd ed.). Sage Publications , Thousand Oaks, CA . M. Q. Patton. 2002. Qualitative Research 8 Evaluation Methods (2nd ed.). Sage Publications, Thousand Oaks, CA.","edition":"2"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_34_1","volume-title":"Computational Science: Ensuring America\u2019s Competitiveness. Technical Report. President\u2019s Information Technology Advisory Committee.","author":"PITAC.","year":"2005","unstructured":"PITAC. 2005 . Computational Science: Ensuring America\u2019s Competitiveness. Technical Report. President\u2019s Information Technology Advisory Committee. Retrieved from http:\/\/www.nitrd.gov\/pitac\/reports\/20050609. PITAC. 2005. Computational Science: Ensuring America\u2019s Competitiveness. Technical Report. President\u2019s Information Technology Advisory Committee. Retrieved from http:\/\/www.nitrd.gov\/pitac\/reports\/20050609."},{"key":"e_1_2_1_35_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1207\/s15516709cog2101_1"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_36_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1017\/CBO9780511816819.016"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_37_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/978-1-4419-8126-4"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_38_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1207\/s1532690xci1203_1"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_39_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1023\/A:1022193728205"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_40_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/s10648-005-3951-0"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_41_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1007\/BF02504993"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_43_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.18260\/p.25642"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_44_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.22369\/issn.2153-4136\/6\/1\/1"},{"key":"e_1_2_1_45_1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","DOI":"10.1111\/j.1551-6709.2010.01113.x"}],"container-title":["ACM Transactions on Computing Education"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/dl.acm.org\/doi\/10.1145\/3058751","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"text-mining"},{"URL":"https:\/\/dl.acm.org\/doi\/pdf\/10.1145\/3058751","content-type":"application\/pdf","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"syndication"},{"URL":"https:\/\/dl.acm.org\/doi\/pdf\/10.1145\/3058751","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,6,18]],"date-time":"2025-06-18T03:50:27Z","timestamp":1750218627000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/dl.acm.org\/doi\/10.1145\/3058751"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2017,8,24]]},"references-count":42,"journal-issue":{"issue":"4","published-print":{"date-parts":[[2017,12,31]]}},"alternative-id":["10.1145\/3058751"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1145\/3058751","relation":{},"ISSN":["1946-6226"],"issn-type":[{"value":"1946-6226","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2017,8,24]]},"assertion":[{"value":"2016-07-01","order":0,"name":"received","label":"Received","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2016-12-01","order":1,"name":"accepted","label":"Accepted","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}},{"value":"2017-08-24","order":2,"name":"published","label":"Published","group":{"name":"publication_history","label":"Publication History"}}]}}