Learning problems — when arts students encounter computer science

Abstract

An evaluation study was carried out of a newly introduced course in computer science for arts students at the University of Copenhagen. In this paper special attention is given to learning problems reported by the great majority of the arts students studying a field which deviates substantially from their main study. The recorded problems were discussed in the light of recent descriptions of student learning. Our data suggests the necessity to consider the distinction between arts and science as requiring different approaches to learning.