An adaptive web-based system for learning programming

Abstract

This paper presents an approach to learning programming by novice programmers through a web-based adaptive educational system called ALEA (Adaptive LEArning). ALEA supports learning programming by generating sequences of program examples that serve as exercises for a learner. The sequence is adapted to the needs of individual learners. At present, ALEA contains more than a hundred Lisp and Prolog program examples. The program examples are presented as specific instances of program schemata, which facilitate understanding of basic programming principles. We also discuss our experience in using web-based support for teaching programming.