This study examined high school students' understanding of abstract data types through interviews and observations of 16 students in computer science classes. The researchers aimed to document difficulties students face and thinking processes used when defining, implementing, and using abstract data types. They found students struggled with abstract concepts and different problem-solving situations helped enhance understanding by avoiding overly abstract ideas. The study applied a previous framework on reducing abstraction to analyze students' mental processes when solving abstract computer science problems.

1. Journal on Educational Resources in Computing (JERIC): Reducing Abstraction in High School Computer Science Education: The Case of Definition, Implementation, and Use of Abstract Data Types Victoria Sakhnini, Orit Hazzan Volume 8, Issue 2, Journal on Educational Resources in Computing ACM Digital Library publishes 21 journals and transactions.

2. Abstract A review of the existing computer science (CS) education literature indicates that relatively few studies address the issue of mental processes in general, and mental processes of high school CS students in particular. Furthermore, as far as the literature survey indicates, no study has been conducted to date on high school students’ understanding of abstract data types. This journal attempts to close this gap, at least partially.

3. Research Goal and Research Questions The goal of the current research was to document and analyze difficulties and thinking processes involved in the definition, implementation, and use of abstract data types by high school students when engaged in the design and construction process of software systems. In order to achieve the research goal, two specific research questions were formulated: (1) What difficulties do students face when solving problems dealing with abstract data types? (2) What heuristics do students use when solving problems dealing with abstract data types?

4. It is difficult for students to expose their vast number of problems of different types and levels, especially for the abstract datas. Problem of the study

5. What procedures were used for the study? After having the research goal and questions, data will then be collected. 16 students were chosen from different levels in 6 classes for interviews, so as to study their mental processes. To further validate the data gathered in the interviews, observations made in 3 Computer Science (CS) classes. Collected data will be Used for data analysis. Target: Students No. of participants: 16

6. What were the major conclusions for the study: Different problem-solving situations involved to enhance the students’ understanding, and avoid too abstract concept for the students. This is very similar to a previous study on mental process of reducing abstraction. The same framework is applied in the field of studying abstract computer science problems.

7. How to classify the study? A qualitative research approach was used, in order to learn about students ’ mental processes.

8. Thank you