Thanks for your replies!
And how would you teach them actual problem solving?
I know a bunch of students that know C++ syntax and a few basic algorithms, but they can't apply the knowledge they know when they solve real problems - they don't know the approach, the way to transcribe their thoughts into a set of strict steps. I do not talk about 'high-level' approaches like dynamic programming, greedy etc., but about basic algorithmic mindset.
I assume it's just because of the poor learning process they were going through. In other sciences - math, for example - they are really brilliant.
