ASSESSING LEVEL OF MOTIVATION IN LEARNING PROGRAMMING AMONG ENGINEERING STUDENTS Azliza Yacob 1 and Mohd Yazid Md Saman 2 , 1 Faculty Computer, Media & Technology Management, TATi University College, Kemaman, Terengganu. Email: azliza@tatiuc.edu.my 2 Faculty of Science & Technology, University Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu. Email: yazid@umt.edu.my ABSTRACT Students in programming courses have difficulties to master all required competencies and skills. Consequently, the failure rates in introductory programming courses are frequently high. Developing good programming skills typically requires students to do a lot of practice, which cannot sustain unless they are adequately motivated. This paper aims to identify the issues on programming motivation among engineering students in TATI University College (TATIUC). Research methodologies used in this study are qualitative and quantitative survey techniques. It is found that ‘clear direction’ and ‘punishment’ from extrinsic factor becomes an important role for motivating computer programming students. This study also assess about students’ expectations and found that 60% of the students expect that this particular subject will be more fun, user friendly and entertaining. Keywords: Programming, motivation, programming learning, programming expectation, engineering students 1 INTRODUCTION Programming subject is known as a difficult to learn [1]. Many student claims to dislikes programming subject and not be able to do programming well. These difficulties result in high dropout and failure rates in introductory programming subjects. Language used for novice commonly c++ programming and Java programming [2], java script, C, C#[3]. Pseudo-code and flowchart have been widely use to explain programming solution [4][5]. Many different approaches have been suggested for programming teaching: Scratch System[6], collaborative work, simulation, games[7][8], teamwork skill [9], graphical programming [10], learning by doing [11]approach and many more. Technology plays an important role to improve learning process. Scribbler robot and Alice used to allow students to interact with the fast world of programming through the use of instructions and programming structures represented by icons. In the context of this problem, it has been the need to implement more attractive methods in the teaching of programming [12]. These new strategies in the teaching of computer courses, is a fundamental pillar in the education of future engineers. Many tools have been developed to assist teaching and learning process and each of those tools has its own benefits. However it is difficult to find one suitable for all students needs. Depending on the actual knowledge level and preferable study method of each student, we need to make the right tool available at the right time. Once again it is almost impossible for teachers to do this work due to class sizes [13]. Blog is also an alternative used in programming learning [14]. These tools used an internet as a media to make an online discussion and will be very helpful for educators. Programming subject is the foundation of computer science education. Student’s achievement and competitiveness are measured by 425