http://www.mdpi.com/journal/algorithms/special_issues/software-tools/ 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.com. 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 MDPI. 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. http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4893/3/2/183/ In recent years, many tools have been proposed to reduce programming learning difficulties felt by many students. Our group has contributed to this effort through the development of several tools, such as VIP, SICAS, OOP-Anim, SICAS-COL and H-SICAS. Even though we had some positive results, the utilization of these tools doesn’t seem to significantly reduce weaker student’s difficulties. These students need stronger support to motivate them to get engaged in learning activities, inside and outside classroom. Nowadays, many technologies are available to create contexts 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, strengths 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. http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4893/3/2/183/ Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 CEST Algorithms 2010-04-20 3 2 Article 183 196 1999-4893 Integrating New Technologies and Existing Tools to Promote Programming Learning 2010-04-20 doi: 10.3390/a3020183 Santos Gomes Mendes http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4893/3/2/168/ Both learning how to program and understanding algorithms or data structures are often difficult. This paper presents three complementary approaches that we employ to help our students in learning to program, especially during the first term of their study. We use a web-based programming task database as an easy and risk-free environment for taking the first steps in programming Java. The Animal algorithm visualization system is used to visualize the dynamic behavior of algorithms and data structures. We complement both approaches with tutorial videos on using the Eclipse IDE. We also report on the experiences with this combined approach. http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4893/3/2/168/ Thu, 15 Apr 2010 00:00:00 CEST Algorithms 2010-04-15 3 2 Article 168 182 1999-4893 A Family of Tools for Supporting the Learning of Programming 2010-04-15 doi: 10.3390/a3020168 Rößling http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4893/3/1/76/ Algorithm animations typically assist in educational tasks aimed simply at achieving understanding. Potentially, animations could assist in higher levels of cognition, such as the analysis level, but they usually fail in providing this support because they are not flexible or comprehensive enough. In particular, animations of recursion provided by educational systems hardly support the analysis of recursive algorithms. Here we show how to provide full support to the analysis of recursive algorithms. From a technical point of view, animations are enriched with interaction techniques inspired by the information visualization (InfoVis) field. Interaction tasks are presented in seven categories, and deal with both static visualizations and dynamic animations. All of these features are implemented in the SRec system, and visualizations generated by SRec are used to illustrate the article. http://www.mdpi.com/1999-4893/3/1/76/ Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 CET Algorithms 2010-02-10 3 1 Article 76 91 1999-4893 InfoVis Interaction Techniques in Animation of Recursive Programs 2010-02-10 doi: 10.3390/a3010076 J. Ángel Velázquez-Iturbide Antonio Pérez-Carrasco