I agree that sometimes the coding gets in the way of really understanding the problem and coming up with a good solution. However, from the 6 classes I've TAed I've noticed a lot of students are driven by the gratification of code that does something.
I TAed a course where homework was done in two steps. First they turned in the pencil & paper part, and then for the 2nd part they coded it up. An intro class needs a balance of thinking about the problem and also gratification that comes with coding.
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I agree that sometimes the coding gets in the way of really understanding the problem and coming up with a good solution. However, from the 6 classes I've TAed I've noticed a lot of students are driven by the gratification of code that does something. I TAed a course where homework was done in two steps. First they turned in the pencil & paper part, and then for the 2nd part they coded it up. An intro class needs a balance of thinking about the problem and also gratification that comes with coding.