Algorithmic Problem Solving and Novel Associations

We elaborate on the essential role of novel associations between recognized task patterns and invoked algorithmic schemes, during algorithmic problem solving. We display three algorithmic tasks of different levels of difficulty, and characterize them by their required pattern-scheme associations. We display diverse student solutions to the tasks, which reflect different levels of competence; and suggest a series of considerations of which tutors should be aware upon selecting and posing algorithmic challenges to students.