Marianne Lykke

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Marianne Lykke is a researcher dedicated to transforming computer science education, with a particular focus on improving student motivation and retention in programming courses. Her work addresses a critical challenge: the high failure and dropout rates that plague introductory programming classes worldwide. Lykke’s most influential contribution, "Motivating programming students by problem based learning and LEGO robots" (2014, 46 citations), demonstrates how hands-on, problem-based learning with tangible tools like LEGO robots can significantly boost student engagement and persistence. She further explores the emotional dimensions of learning in her 2015 study (15 citations), which compares three different learning designs to understand how positive emotional experiences and wellbeing directly influence student motivation. By shifting the focus from purely technical instruction to creating positive, supportive learning environments, Lykke’s research provides actionable insights for educators seeking to make programming more accessible and enjoyable. Her work is particularly valuable for institutions like the Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica, where she has applied her findings to address real-world retention issues, making her a key voice in the ongoing effort to build more effective and humane computer science curricula.