Programming ability prediction: Applying an attention-based convolutional neural network to functional near-infrared...

Although theoretical studies have suggested that working-memory capacity is crucial for academic achievement, few empirical studies have directly investigated the relationship between working-memory capacity and programming ability, and no direct neural evidence has been reported to support this relationship. The present study aimed to fill this gap in the literature. Using a between-subject design, 17 programming novices and 18 advanced students performed an n-back working-memory task. During the experiment, their prefrontal hemodynamic responses were measured using a 48-channel functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) device. The results indicated that the advanced students had a higher working-memory capacity than the novice students, validating the relationship between programming ability and working memory. The analysis results also showed that the hemodynamic responses in the prefrontal cortex can be used to discriminate between novices and advanced students. Additionally, we utilized an attention-based convolutional neural network to analyze the spatial domains of the fNIRS signals and demonstrated that the left prefrontal cortex was more important than other brain regions for programming ability prediction. This result was consistent with the results of statistical analysis, which in turn improved the interpretability of neural networks.