Why Do Students Struggle in CS Theory Courses So Much?

Theory courses are required within CS curricula because of their far-reaching impacts on what makes the CS field special, namely what limits there are for computers. Students nearly universally find this course frustrating and challenging as it often requires formal proofs and reasoning. We in the CER community have long had issue with determining where the underlying cognitive barriers are with students in these courses, and how to address them. Various strategies—such as in-class examples, lecture techniques, course structure adjustments, and visual aids—have been explored. However, none have led to substantial progress in identifying the core issues. In this opinion article I give my hypothesis as to what I believe the central fundamental issue is, and that it has not yet been explored within a CER setting. If we as a community want to bridge the gaps students have within formal courses like theory, we need to face it head-on.