The meta-analysis provides evidence for a positive, significant, and moderate transfer effect of learning computer programming to contexts outside of programming.
The extensive meta-analysis has been published in the Journal of Educational Psychology. Bits and pieces of it were presented at conferences.
- Scherer, R., Siddiq, F., & Sánchez Viveros, B. (2018). The Cognitive Benefits of Learning Computer Programming: A Meta-Analysis of Transfer Effects. Journal of Educational Psychology, doi:10.1037/edu0000314.
- Scherer, R., Siddiq, F., & Sánchez Viveros, B. (2018, April). Technology and the mind: Does learning to code improve cognitive skills? Paper presented at the APA-SIGCHI Conference Technology, Mind, & Society, Washington, DC. doi:10.1145/3183654.3183658
- Scherer, R., Siddiq, F., & Sánchez Viveros, B. (2018, June). Learning to code: Does it help students to improve their thinking skills? Paper presented at the Conference "Computational Thinking Education", Hong Kong, SAR. Link