A web-based learning environment for object-oriented programming

Abstract

Support for active learning in programming is important because students need to spend lots of effort and time outside the classroom. Object-oriented programming courses require additional practices in working with design models. Our objective is to encourage active participation for object-oriented programming beyond classroom environments. We have accomplished this with an easy-to-use development environment. It improves teacher-student interaction, provides analysis on students' participation, and helps students with their compilation activities in real time. The web-based development environment encourages active learning for object-oriented programming. We have shown how our system supports the lectures' pedagogical approach for implementing student-centred learning. This is an important element for implementing the concepts of an 'Active Classroom'. The system has been applied to the laboratory sessions of a programming course and has received positive feedback from the participating students.