Challenges and Solutions for Teaching Decomposition and Planning Skills in CS1

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Abstract
The task of decomposing a problem into sub-problems to build a solution, also formalized as planning in prior work, is a key skill for programming expertise. Improving the decomposition and planning skills of novices is shown to be a challenging goal for educators. Moreover, decomposing complex projects into smaller subtasks is an increasingly relevant skill with rapid developments in tools like large language models (LLMs). While there are many aspects of planning, one skill consistently observed in studies with experts is the ability to identify subtasks that can be solved via common code patterns. To support students in acquiring these skills, many researchers have explored explicit instruction about a set of common patterns in programs (i.e. programming plans). However, recent work implies that students may need additional support to fully benefit from such interventions. This panel aims to bring computing education researchers together to discuss the main challenges around teaching decomposition and planning using common patterns, the crucial factors for designing instruction for teaching these concepts, and the impact evolving technology like LLMs can have on these developments.