Special Issue "Innovative Software Tools for Learning and Teaching Computer Programming Concepts"

Guest Editor
Prof. Dr. Mercedes Gómez-Albarrán
Dep. Ingeniería del Software e Inteligencia Artificial, Facultad de Informática, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, 28040 Madrid, Spain
Website: http://gaia.fdi.ucm.es/people/mercedes/
E-Mail:
Interests: virtual learning environments; game-based instructional tools; user-adaptive technology-enhanced learning; personalized recommendation techniques; case-based reasoning and case-based teaching

Dear Colleagues,

Most Computer Science instructors agree that learning to program is a fundamental part of degree-level education in computing and a difficult task regardless of the programming paradigm used. Therefore, in the last years, much effort has focused on developing and introducing innovative pedagogical tools that help to alleviate the teaching and learning of Computer Programming. Along these years, many different approaches have been followed: from tools that include a simple and reduced development environment to example-based systems; tools based on visualization and animation; simulation and game-based environments, etc. Besides, the tools face, in very different ways, aspects such as the user interaction, the collaborative work and the personalization facilities. This special issue is open to researchers interested in the use of technology in supporting Computer Programming teaching and learning. Papers describing innovative software tools and environments and/or experience reports about their use are welcome.

Main topics:

• Design, development and evaluation of educational software for Computer Programming learning
• Innovative ICT (Information and Communication Technology) experiences in education and training in the Computer Programming area
• User-adaptive educational approaches and software tools for Computer Programming learning
• Interactive visualization tools for learning Computer Programming
• Collaborative environments used in Computer Programming learning
• Virtual-learning environments for supporting Computer Programming teaching
• Game-liked tools for education and training in Computer Programming tasks

Prof. Dr. Mercedes Gómez-Albarrán
Guest Editor

Submission

All papers should be submitted to algorithms@mdpi.org. To be published continuously until the deadline and papers will be listed together at the special issue website.

Submitted papers should not have been published nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere. All papers are refereed through a peer-review process. A guide for authors is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Algorithms is an international peer-reviewed quarterly journal published by Molecular Diversity Preservation International.

Article Processing Charges (APC) will be waived for well prepared manuscripts of invited papers. For the first three volumes of this new journal the APC are of 300 CHF (or 550 CHF per paper for those papers that require extensive additional formatting and/or English corrections) for papers submitted before 31 December 2010.

• virtual-learning environments
• game-based tools
• user-adaptive tools
• collaborative environments

Type of Paper: Article
Title: Integrating new Technologies and Existing Tools to Promote Programming Learning
Authors: Álvaro Santos¹, Anabela Gomes¹ and António José Mendes²*
Affiliation: ¹ Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Coimbra, Rua Pedro Nunes, 3030 Coimbra – Portugal; E-mails: ans@isec.pt; anabela@isec.pt
² Centro de Informática e Sistemas da Universidade de Coimbra, Pólo II da Universidade de Coimbra, 3030 Coimbra – Portugal; E-mails: toze@dei.uc.pt
Abstract: In recent years, many tools have been proposed to reduce programming learning difficulties felt by many students. Our own group contributed to this effort through the development of several tools, such as VIP, SICAS, OOP-ANIMA, SICAS-COL and H-SICAS. Even though we could find some positive results, these tools don’t seem to significantly reduce weaker student’s difficulties. These students need a stronger support to motivate them to get engaged in learning activities, inside and outside classroom. Nowadays, many technologies are available that may help to accomplish this goal. We consider that a promising path goes through the integration of solutions. In this paper we analyze the features, strong points and weaknesses of the tools developed by our group. Based on these considerations we present a new environment, integrating different types of pedagogical approaches, resources, tools and technologies for programming learning support. With this environment, currently under development, it will be possible to review contents and lessons, based on video and screen captures. The support for collaborative tasks is another key point to improve and stimulate different models of teamwork. The platform will also allow the creation of various alternative models (learning objects) for the same subject, enabling personalized learning paths adapted to each student knowledge level, needs and preferential learning styles. The learning sequences will work as a study organizer, following a suitable taxonomy, according to student’s cognitive skills. Although the main goal of this environment is to support students with more difficulties, it will provide a set of resources supporting the learning of more advanced topics. Software engineering techniques and representations, object orientation and event programming are features that will be available in order to promote the learning progress of students.
Keywords: Programming learning environments