Parsimony Analysis – a Novel Method of Structured Knowledge Representation for Teaching Computer Science

Knowledge may be structured in a manner that may either handicap or improve learning outcomes. Knowledge construction is therefore an important aspect of the learning and assessment process. This paper is primarily concerned with structural knowledge (knowing how) of which there are numerous representations and mapping methods each with their associated strengths and weaknesses. This paper presents the novel application of parsimony analysis for organizing and defining structural knowledge within the field of computer science. Work to date has clearly demonstrated there are considerable potential pedagogical advantages to this approach.