Adapting Jupyter for C++ Programming Education: An Empirical Study on Lab Instruction Strategies and Student Perspectives

Abstract

This paper explores the use of the Jupyter platform in teaching C++ programming at the higher education level. It includes a comparative analysis between traditional integrated development environments and online judge systems. The study discusses a teaching approach that leverages JupyterHub and Xeus-Cling to create an interactive learning setting. This approach was pilot-tested during a C++ lab session at Shenzhen Technology University, and student feedback was subsequently gathered and analyzed. A substantial number of students found value in Jupyter's interactive capabilities and the seamless integration of code execution and report writing. However, others experienced difficulties with the platform due to adaptation hurdles, code compatibility issues, and the lack of functionality compared to traditional integrated development environments. The paper further explores the potential of integrating Jupyter with the Visual Studio Code environment to mitigate these limitations and amplify its benefits. The paper concludes by recommending ongoing research and evaluation to refine and adapt this innovative teaching strategy.