Abstract
Interaction and feedback are key factors supporting the learning process. Therefore many automatic assessment and feedback systems have been developed for computer science courses during the past decade. In this paper we present a new framework, TRAKLA2, for building interactive algorithm simulation exercises. Exercises constructed in TRAKLA2 are viewed as learning objects in which students manipulate conceptual visualizations of data structures in order to simulate the working of given algorithms. The framework supports randomized input values for the assignments, as well as automatic feedback and grading of students' simulation sequences. Moreover, it supports automatic generation of model solutions as algorithm animations and the logging of statistical data about the interaction process resulting as students solve exercises. The system has been used in two universities in Finland for several courses involving over 1000 students. Student response has been very positive.
Highlights
Many automatic assessment systems1 have been developed over the last decade to aid grading of exercises in large computer science courses
WWW-TRAKLA did not realize the full power of algorithm simulation; a new supporting framework was needed for TRAKLA
We present some observations on TRAKLA2 exercises that were used in data structures and algorithms courses at the Helsinki University of Technology with a total enrollment of over 1000 students in years 2003 and 2004
Summary
Many automatic assessment systems have been developed over the last decade to aid grading of exercises in large computer science courses. Even though students created answers graphically in terms of algorithm simulation, and were allowed to run the exercises step by step backwards and forwards, the model answers generated by the system were solely in textual form They typically included only the final state of the data structure in question. Due to these limitations, WWW-TRAKLA did not realize the full power of algorithm simulation; a new supporting framework was needed for TRAKLA. The framework allows building applications in which the user for the first time has full control of data structure manipulations through GUI interaction, using a method which we call visual algorithm simulation (Korhonen, 2003). The system has been used at the University of Turku in a course of over 100 students
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